Implementation of Survey and Three-Dimensional Monitoring of Archaeological Excavations of the Khirbat Al-Dusaq Site, Jordan

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> In this paper will be presented the use of photogrammetry integrated to the process of representation of an archaeological site. The Khirbat al-Dūsaq site, Jordan, is an architectural complex composed by three remaining buildings with different shapes and functions. The first one is a reception building name īwān. The second one is vaulted and its function has not been determined yet. The third is a bath with all the complexity that are required for such a function (multiple rooms and sequence of spaces). The site is being excavated and there remains unknown information archaeologists want to discover and represent. This project takes places after several years of collaboration on different other archaeological sites. During these different projects, methods of acquisition, processes and drawings at different places and stages have been developed and work methods that includes the use of photogrammetry are now integrated to the archaeological practices. There is now a need by archaeologists for ortho-photos to draw precise plans. The integration of photogrammetry into the practice of archaeology on site helps also to reduce the time consumption to survey and to represent excavation activity. The data sets obtained year after year can also be used as a support for 3D reconstruction. The 3D modelling stage begins by integrating the context represented here by 3D textured mesh produced during the process of ortho-photos. The integration of photogrammetry started in 2015 by acquiring pictures from bath building. This work had to be extended to the entire complex so that it has been decided to manage it, in a proper way. In 2016, a survey network has been implemented, and complete photogrammetric data set have been produced. At this time there was a photogrammetric survey reference for all the data sets of the site. Several years of survey means that the project has to adapt to its specific context. The site life during 11 months without archaeological preoccupations signifies that it is evolving, so that in 2017, ground points had disappeared. The possibility to geo-reference future data sets imposes to integrate targets on pictures from 2016 data set. The remaining building walls on site keep their shape enough to be integrated as constant structures over the years. At first it has been decided to integrate photogrammetry technic to the representation process of the Khirbat al-Dūsaq site. It has proved, by the precision and flexibility of processes that good quality representations could be produced and the 3D documentation could be used as a support of 3D reconstruction stage also. Photogrammetric documentation, as soon as it is properly managed over the years can thus be integrated in archaeologic practices and can help to reduce time consuming stages and propose other activity support as 3D reconstruction.</p>

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