Modern technology has changed matters in documentation radically and promises to continue to bring rapid changes. Photographic and non-photographic (graphic) documentation tools are merging in one process, in which the digital photographic technology is the main base. 3D supports are still not popular among users involved in documentation of historic sites. Due to the digital technology, actually, there is an increasing gap between the specialized technician and non technician users. However, in order to build a bridge between the specialized technical and non technical users, a dialogue between them must now be created. They should not only discuss issues of data precision required and 3D accuracy standards, but simultaneously should discuss issues of achieving visualization production system, which can now be actually easily achieved by the modern digital photographic technology. This paper intends to present a review of the evaluation of historic sites documentation methods and survey techniques now available, focusing on the needs and requirements of the non-technical experts and users. It attempts to clarify some new aspects in documentation methods for the non-technical experts and users, and the impact of current technology in its quick development. This will be achieved through a comparative evaluation of the potentials of the application of digital methods in documentation, and in view of the main obtained quality, accuracy, time, costs and specific skills required. This evaluation covers traditional and pre electronic techniques to 3D laser scanning, which represents today the most advanced technology available for measuring and documenting objects, structures and landscapes.

Abstract:Unfortunately, heritage education and awareness remains largely undervalued, as most efforts rely on in-person experiences in formal cultural institutions. While there have been many virtual applications in the field of heritage edutainment with multimedia technology, there are still not enough to make the required and hoped-for change for the children of the digital natives' generation. However, with the rich resources in 3D imaging and interactive programming already at our disposal, we are well prepared to do so, given a coordinated effort. This paper deals with a key topic that has an importance at the international level: the education of children through the conceptual approach of "edutainment" and "serious games" and particularly focuses on the cultural heritage, considering its tangible and intangible aspects. The paper attempts to clarify, explore and investigate how heritage edutainment multimedia, which bring enjoyment, fun, play and discovery into children's daily lives, can make a significant contribution to their understanding, curiosity and appreciation of the cultural heritage. The paper also proposes some ideas and storylines for project development, especially for a methodological approach to serious games, which if appropriately planned, can be as entertaining as they are intellectually challenging to young children. Taking into consideration that there is a growing body of research on the effectiveness of online serious games as creative learning tools, this can only be achieved by the collaboration of a multidisciplinary pedagogical, technical and creative team, to encourage children and parents to look, explore and care for the wonders of our cultural heritage.

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Documentation of cultural heritage requires simple, quick and easy to use multi-sensor approaches to determine the state of conservation of monuments and sites. The documentation of a highly weathered architectural heritage such as the Obelisk Tomb is a good example to test the performance integrating multispectral imagery and laser scanning data. The Obelisk Tomb is the first important façade that a visitor sees while entering to the archaeological site of Petra in Jordan. The rich architectural formations carry Egyptian, Hellenistic and Nabataean influences. The damage that was inflicted on this unique monument led us to study it applying a number of modern digital techniques including 3D scanning, multispectral photography with visible and near infrared images, and thermography. All the multiband content is initially registered onto different multispectral bands. The multispectral information is enhanced and eventually draped onto the 3D laser scanning model in order to improve documentation and analysis of the state of conservation. Our results integrating the multispectral data, thermography and terrestrial laser scanning clearly enhance the power of diagnosis over the Obelisk Tomb with state-of-the-art optical equipment and image processing software. Furthermore, the capacity to examine, analyse and detect the existing damages is enhanced by the false colour processing of the input photographic data. Weathering effects are highlighted onto the 3D model and shed some light on the causes of the damages.