Speakers
Description
Laser technology has revolutionized the study, detailed documentation and digital preservation of rock-cut monuments (RCMs), including prehistoric observatories, rock monasteries, tombs, petroglyphs, rock temples, etc. This allows for contactless and highly accurate digital recording of objects. The main tool is terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), which creates detailed 3D models. Moreover, this applies to rock objects that are closed volumes with a localized entrance.
The preliminary analysis of potential archaeoastronomical sites requires obtaining information through several different diagnostic methods. Remote sensing plays a crucial role, especially when studying monuments located over large areas and in difficult-to-reach places. This method facilitates the conservation of archaeoastronomical sites, their spatial analysis, the reconstruction of landscapes inhabited by people in prehistoric times, and the determination of their relationships with the environment and objects of the celestial sphere. The report presents a specific example of a detailed topographic survey using a lidar system mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The resulting high-resolution digital relief model was carefully examined for visual connections with elements of the local horizon and sunrises of bright luminaries rising over significant relief points. This study demonstrates the usefulness of this method for identifying anthropogenic features hidden under vegetation or in relief perspectives.
The rock surface “extracted” from the results of a lidar survey represents the best initial topographic data to support the acquisition of information using other remote sensing tools, ground surveys or direct theodolite measurements, which are also aimed at creating a BIM model of the studied site. The digital relief model obtained using airborne lidar is of high accuracy (positioning error is approximately 0.1 m) and describes the terrain more accurately than a photogrammetric 3D model, and it would be very useful to integrate the latter into a DEM to provide higher resolution visualized data.
Using a UAV-based lidar, an archaeoastronomical site – the Tangardak Kaya RCMs, which has been studied for several years, but the information about it is documented with unsatisfactory accuracy, was investigated. Some interesting features of the site were extracted that have an authentic character and prehistoric antiquity.
The result of integrating the lidar data with information obtained through other remote sensing methods, ground surveys and direct observations used in archaeoastronomy is shown. The comparative analysis shows a strong improvement in the quality of astronomical identification and the reliability of archaeoastronomical interpretation.
Keywords: laser technology, lidar, unmanned aerial vehicle, drone technology, 3D models, digital recording