COMPARING 3D DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELDWORK DOCUMENTATION. THE CASE OF THESSALONIKI TOUMBA EXCAVATION, GREECE

Abstract. Nowadays, there are many methods and techniques for the documentation and the restoration of historic structures and historical artifacts that are commonly used due to their completeness, accuracy and fastness. The use of advanced 3D measurement technologies, by either using terrestrial or aerial means of acquiring digital data, has become an efficient and reliable documentation tool. Within this context, this study focuses on combining terrestrial laser scanning, unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry, close-range photogrammetry and topographic surveying, and comparing the associated digital data for archaeological fieldwork documentation. The data collected during the Thessaloniki Toumba Excavation (Greece) provided accurate digital surface models and photo-realistic three-dimensional outputs of archaeological trenches. The data elaboration enabled new inferences and knowledge to be gained through the implementation of advanced technologies in heritage documentation.