The geometric documentation of the Greek cultural heritage sites participating in the TRIQUETRA project

Abstract

In the light of threats including climate change, geological degradation and extreme weather conditions, the geometric documentation of cultural heritage sites plays a crucial role in their preservation. Photogrammetric techniques enable the production of highly accurate 3D models, orthoimages, and digital surface models (DSMs), which facilitate both site monitoring and conservation planning. This article presents the photogrammetric documentation of three archaeological sites in Greece, namely, the archaeological site of Aegina Kolonna, the Sunken City and the coastal cultural heritage of Ancient Epidaurus, as well as the sanctuary of Kalapodi. The geometric documentation of all three sites was conducted within the framework of the TRIQUETRA EU-funded project, through ground surveys and UAV-based photogrammetric techniques, either independently or in combination with underwater photogrammetry workflows, in order to capture the geometry of the cultural heritage sites and their surrounding environments. The produced results include 3D dense point clouds, 3D textured mesh models, DSMs and high-resolution orthomosaics. The generated datasets support detailed structural assessments, vulnerability analyses and risk assessment studies, providing a fundamental basis for protection efforts of the archaeological sites of interest.