This paper investigates the recently increased application of photogrammetric digital 3D modelling to underwater archaeology by reviewing its application and development on seminal underwater archaeological projects as a key recording tool. It is argued that underwater archaeologists are currently in a phase of ‘digital realism’ that has the potential to inhibit our ability to truly understand and use image-based digital 3D models to communicate effectively. Relevant theories relating to photography, visualization, and interpretation are investigated, highlighting the influence that vision has on data collection and knowledge creation. A series of recommendations are made for underwater archaeologists to spark discussion and move beyond this current phase of digital realism.

本文通过回顾其在开创性水下考古项目中作为关键记录工具的应用和发展，研究了摄影测量数字 3D 建模最近在水下考古中的应用。有人认为，水下考古学家目前处于“数字现实主义”阶段，这可能会抑制我们真正理解和使用基于图像的数字 3D 模型进行有效交流的能力。研究了与摄影、可视化和解释相关的理论，强调了视觉对数据收集和知识创造的影响。为水下考古学家提出了一系列建议，以激发讨论并超越数字现实主义的当前阶段。