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Archaeology in the Palm of Your Hand: Using Photogrammetry and 3-D Printing to Record and Recreate Excavations at Fairfield Plantation

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Abstract

The Fairfield Foundation is using new technology to record and recreate archaeology at Fairfield Plantation. Using drone-based photogrammetry, Autodesk 3-D modeling software, and a MakerBot 3-D printer, the organization is developing three-dimensional models of every stratigraphic layer excavated, then printing replicas of each layer that connect seamlessly. This interactive model of the site is ideal for teaching students and the public about archaeology while engaging them in the history and architecture of Fairfield Plantation. At the same time, it creates the most detailed archive of archaeological data yet undertaken at this site, providing the foundations for future virtual and augmented reality applications and preserving a vital record of the archaeology. Methods developed for this project can be applied at any site, enhancing outreach and site documentation efforts around the world, especially when initiated at the onset of a project.

Abstracto

La Fundación Fairfield está utilizando nueva tecnología para registrar y recrear la arqueología en Fairfield Plantation. Mediante el uso de fotogrametría basada en drones, el software de modelado 3D Autodesk y una impresora MakerBot 3-D, la organización desarrolla modelos tridimensionales de cada capa estratigráfica excavada, y luego imprime réplicas de cada capa que se conectan a la perfección. Este modelo interactivo del sitio es ideal para enseñar a los estudiantes y al público acerca de la arqueología a la vez que los involucra en la historia y la arquitectura de Fairfield Plantation. Al mismo tiempo, crea el archivo de datos arqueológicos más detallado que se haya realizado en este sitio, brindando los cimientos para futuras aplicaciones de realidad virtual y aumentada y preservando un registro vital de la arqueología. Los métodos desarrollados para este proyecto pueden aplicarse en cualquier sitio, mejorando los esfuerzos de divulgación y documentación del sitio en todo el mundo, especialmente cuando se inician al comienzo de un proyecto.

Résumé

La Fondation Fairfield utilise une nouvelle technologie pour documenter et recréer l'archéologie à la Plantation Fairfield. Par l'utilisation d'une photogrammétrie à base de drone, le logiciel de modélisation 3D Autodesk et une imprimante 3D MakerBot, l'organisation développe des modèles en trois dimensions de chaque couche stratigraphique d'excavation, puis imprime les répliques de chaque couche pour les connecter parfaitement. Ce modèle interactif du site est idéal pour initier les étudiants et le public à l'archéologie tout en leur faisant découvrir l'histoire et l'architecture de la Plantation Fairfield. Ceci permet en même temps de créer l'archive la plus détaillée de données archéologiques jamais entreprise sur ce site, fournissant ainsi les fondations d'applications futures pour une réalité virtuelle et augmentée tout en préservant des éléments essentiels de l'archéologie. Les méthodes développées pour ce projet peuvent être appliquées sur tout site, optimisant les efforts de prise de contact et de documentation de site autour du monde, en particulier lorsqu'ils sont initiés au tout début d'un projet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Fairfield Foundation, White Marsh, VA, U.S.A.

    Ashley McCuistion, David A. Brown & Thane Harpole

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  1. Ashley McCuistion
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  2. David A. Brown
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  3. Thane Harpole
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McCuistion, A., Brown, D.A. & Harpole, T. Archaeology in the Palm of Your Hand: Using Photogrammetry and 3-D Printing to Record and Recreate Excavations at Fairfield Plantation. Hist Arch 53, 762–770 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41636-019-00200-z

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