Accuracy assessment of digital surface models from unmanned aerial vehicles’ imagery on archaeological sites

Abstract

With the developing technologies, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles’s (UAV) is increasing in all areas. Compared with the conventional photogrammetry and remote sensing sensors, UAVs are more convenient to collect data for small areas. In this study, the accuracy of UAV products was investigated in the archeological area of Eskişehir Şarhöyük. In order to produce reference data for the orthophoto and DTM accuracy analysis, a digital map from the test area was produced using in-situ measurements. Also, for the comparison of the point cloud, a small test area was determined and reference point cloud data was collected with terrestrial laser scanner. The comparison of the results showed significant difference between the UAV images and images collected by conventional methods. Thus, while there was 1 m difference between the data without the use of control points, and the use of control points significantly improved the results.