MODELING THE PAST: EMPLOYING CLOSE-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND 3D MODELING METHODOLOGIES FOR DIGITAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION AT THE BRONZE AGE SITE OF BÉKÉS-VÁRDOMB IN TARHOS, HUNGARY

Abstract

This paper aims to test and illustrate the effectiveness of close-range photogrammetry/3D modeling for documenting archaeological fieldwork and recovered artifacts during the Körös Consortium's “Understanding the Emergence of Cities” project at the Bronze Age site of Békés-Várdomb in Tarhos, Hungary. This thesis will detail the specific methods utilized to produce 3D models during the field project, document variables, and gauge the quality of models produced, to assess this method of documentation for public outreach, future archaeological research, and as a form of digital heritage preservation. The main research questions for this thesis include: “Why is photogrammetry not used more often within the field of archaeology”, “Do the photogrammetric methods conducted for this project efficiently create accurate and accessible 3D models?”, and “How does the use and popularization of photogrammetry for digital recordation change the field of archaeology, and can these changes be utilized in American cultural resource management (CRM)?”. Previous academic work has been done to assess the usefulness and limitations of 3D modeling in archaeology, including archaeological site modeling and individual object modeling. This thesis will build on previously published photogrammetry works, while also documenting specific methods used for the creation of 3D models to produce a photogrammetry “toolkit” for archaeologists to employ on projects. Additionally, this paper will detail the benefits and challenges associated with carrying out photogrammetry for ongoing archaeological investigations.