3D terrestrial laser scanning of El Fuerte de Samaipata

Abstract

is a pre-Hispanic archaeological site on the eastern slopes of the Andes at an altitude of ca. 1890-1925 m. Due to its historical and cultural value, the site was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. The entire archaeological site covers about 40 hectares and consists of two main parts: an administrative and ceremonial complex in the southern part of the site, and a natural rock (ca. 80 × 250 m) in the northern part of the site. The rock was the main subject of the project "Architectural examination and complex documentation of Samaipata (Fuerte de Samaipata/Bolivia) site from the World Heritage List" 1. The research presented here is part of this larger project. Due to the rapid erosion of the rock, one of its main objectives of the project was to produce comprehensive documentation of the entire sacred rock with the highest possible degree of accuracy and detail. The proper selection of technology, equipment, software, and workflow was fundamental to the success of the