3D documentation of frail archaeological finds using low-cost instrumentation

Abstract

In archaeological excavations, many small fragments or artefacts are revealed whose fine details sometimes should be captured in 3D. In general, 3D documentation methods fall into two main categories: Range-Based modelling and Image-Based modelling. In Range Based modelling, a laser scanner (Time of Flight, Structured light, etc.) is used for the raw data acquisition in order to create the 3D model of an object. The above method is accurate enough but is still very expensive in terms of equipment. On the other hand, Image-Based modelling, is affordable because the equipment required is merely a camera with the appropriate lens, and possibly a turntable and a tripod. In this case, the 3D model of an object is created by suitable processing of images which are taken around the object with a large overlap. In this paper, emphasis is given on the effectiveness of 3D models of frail archaeological finds originate from the palatial site of Ayios Vasileios in Laconia in the south-eastern Peloponnese, using low-cost equipment and methods. The 3D model is also produced using various, mainly freeware, hence low-cost, software and the results are compared to those from a well-established commercial one.