Digital Documentation and a 3-D Model of Beaufort Castle via RTK GNSS, Terrestrial Laser Scanner and UAS-based Photogrammetry

Abstract

Three-dimensional digital technology is important in the maintenance and monitoring of archeological sites. This paper focuses on using a combination of terrestrial laser scanning and unmanned aerial vehicle (Phantom 4 pro) photogrammetry to establish a three-dimensional model and associated digital documentation of Beaufort castle (Arnoun, South Lebanon). The overall discrepancy between the two technologies was sufficient for the generation of convergent data. Thus, the terrestrial laser scanning and phantom 4 photogrammetry data were aligned and merged post-conversion into compatible extensions. A three-D dimensional (3D) model, with planar and perpendicular geometries, based on the hybrid data- point cloud was developed. This study demonstrates the potential of using the integration of terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry in 3D digital documentation and spatial analysis of the Lebanese archeological sites.