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A Photogrammetry-Assisted Methodology for the Documentation of Complex Stratigraphic Relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

Brent Whitford Open the ORCID record for Brent Whitford [Opens in a new window] ,
Kamen Boyadzhiev ,
Miroslav Ivanov ,
Konstantin Tyufekchiev  and
Yavor Boyadzhiev
Brent Whitford*
Affiliation:
University at Buffalo SUNY, Buffalo, NY, USA
Kamen Boyadzhiev
Affiliation:
National Archaeological Institute with Museum - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Miroslav Ivanov
Affiliation:
Southwest University “Neofit Rilski,” Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Konstantin Tyufekchiev
Affiliation:
Southwest University “Neofit Rilski,” Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Yavor Boyadzhiev
Affiliation:
National Archaeological Institute with Museum - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
*
([email protected], corresponding author)
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Abstract

At Tell Yunatsite, a prehistoric settlement mound located in the Upper Thracian plain of Bulgaria, stratigraphic relationships between archaeological deposits are incredibly complex. Such complexity then prompted our exploration into developing a new methodology for the documentation of complex stratigraphic relationships. Here, we present the results of a new photogrammetry-assisted methodology that was developed to compensate for the shortcomings of currently utilized stratigraphic documentation methods, such as the Wheeler-Kenyon box grid and the Harris Matrix. First, using a UAV drone, we produce a high-resolution photogrammetric model of the entire site. Second, with structure from motion photogrammetry, we produce 2.5D models of excavation units in stratigraphic succession. Finally, utilizing GIS and Blender (a 3D computer graphics software application), we digitize the horizontal extents of each archaeological deposit and “fill” the space between their successive surfaces (from top to bottom) until a faithful 3D model of each deposit is generated. These deposit models are then combined and rendered simultaneously to form 3D block models of the excavation units that may, in turn, be cross-sectioned in any direction to view stratigraphic relationships in virtual profile.

En el montículo de Tell Yunatsite, un asentamiento prehistórico ubicado en la llanura tracia superior de Bulgaria, las relaciones estratigráficas entre depósitos arqueológicos son increíblemente complejas. Lo anterior nos impulsó a explorar el desarrollo de una nueva metodología para la documentación de relaciones estratigráficas complejas. A continuación presentamos los resultados para una nueva metodología asistida por fotogrametría, la cual busca compensar deficiencias en otros métodos de documentación estratigráfica ampliamente utilizados—como la cuadrícula de caja de Wheeler-Kenyon y la matriz de Harris. Primero, mediante un dron VANT, producimos un modelo fotogramétrico de alta resolución del sitio. Segundo, usando la estructura de fotogrametría de movimiento, producimos modelos 2.5D de unidades de excavación en sucesión estratigráfica. Finalmente, utilizando GIS y Blender, digitalizamos las extensiones horizontales de cada depósito arqueológico y “rellenamos” el espacio entre sus superficies sucesivas (de arriba a abajo) hasta generar un modelo 3D fiel de cada depósito. Estos modelos fueron combinados y renderizados simultáneamente para formar modelos de bloques 3D de las unidades de excavación que, a su vez, se pudieran seccionar transversalmente en cualquier dirección para visualizar las relaciones estratigráficas en un perfil virtual.

Keywords

archaeological excavationstratigraphyphotogrammetrygeographic information systemsmound settlementsChalcolithic periodexcavación arqueológicaestratigrafíafotogrametríasistemas de información geográficaasentamiento prehistórico ubicadoperíodo Calcolítico
Type
Article
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , November 2022 , pp. 428 - 439
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for American Archaeology

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