THREE-DIMENSIONAL DOCUMENTATION OF DOLNI VESTONICE SKELETAL REMAINS: CAN PHOTOGRAMMETRY SUBSTITUTE LASER SCANNING?

Creating digital replicas of unique biological findings or archeological artifacts has become a desirable task, which enables to spare original integrity and enhance accessibility of valuable objects to a wide range of experts as well as public. In recent years, specialized scanning devices have been challenged by performance of photogrammetry software tools capable of processing unstructured image sets and providing three-dimensional digital models in return. Simplicity, portability and affordability predetermine photogrammetry to be the method of choice if three-dimensional documentation is to be conducted at remote facilities and outdoor locations. The present paper tests technical limitations of two 3D documentation techniques - close range photogrammetry carried out in Agisoft PhotoScan software and laser scanning conducted with MicroScribe/MicroScan scanning unit while documenting pelvic bones and sacra from the Upper Paleolithic triple burial of Dolni Vestonice, Czech Republic. For photogrammetry, two different approaches to generate closed textured 3D models were confronted - alignment of partial polygonal meshes and joint processing of multiple image sets. Our results showed that photogrammetry provided high-resolution 3D models appended by photorealistic texture. In terms of depicted details, the photogrammetry-generated models were comparable to those of laser scanning. However, the robust performance of the employed algorithm was achieved at the expense of extensive time and labor demands, which for many experts may be difficult to justify. In conclusion, photogrammetry should be considered a suitable substitute for surface scanners only if conducted for occasional and/or out-of-lab documentation tasks.