Hi all.

I am an MSc student in the Department of Geomatics, University of 
Cape Town, South Africa, doing research into the 3D documentation of 
structures (specifically archaeological buildings, although not 
limited to this). I came across Internet Archaeology last year purely 
by chance while looking up something on the Internet which led me to 
Robert Daniels' article on "The Need for the Solid Modelling of 
Structures in the Archaeology of Buildings", which I found very 
useful. I have since 'subscribed' both to the journal and to the 
discussion list in the hope that I may pick up some similar gems of 
information. Although Internet Archaeology isn't really concerned 
with the same field as myself, I have found the articles and the 
discussions interesting and informative, and have passed on many 
links to my colleagues who are looking into ways of presenting 3D 
information on the web.

The ultimate goal of the work in which I am currently involved is the 
production of a 3D GIS of an archaeological building: the mosque 
Horvat Minnim in Israel. The GIS will incorporate 'DEMs' of 
building walls with orthophotos 'texture-mapped' onto these, line 
drawings of the individual stones or bricks making up the walls, 
along with cracks etc., and information about the internal structure 
of the walls, documentation of the decay of the structure etc. This 
latter part will be supplied by archaeologists themselves and is not 
part of my work, although it is what I envisage. The DEMs, orthos and 
line drawings are all products of photogrammetry, which is my field.

The purpose of the 3D GIS will be primarily as a complete, 
comprehensive record of the structure which can be used (virtually) 
in lieu of the real thing. This would enable archaeologists to 
photogrammetrically capture all the data they need on a site (a 
picture says more than a thousand words) and then, after construction 
of the GIS, 'return' to the site as often as they need to, to do 
further analysis. The benefits where the structure is fragile or may 
only be visible for a short period, need hardly be mentioned. The 
educational possibilities, too, cannot be overlooked.

I am hindered slightly in that, being a photogrammetrist and not an 
archaeologist, I have a one-sided perspective on the subject. 
Accurate documentation is my primary goal, and I can only hope that 
this work will serve to benefit both the archaeological discipline 
specifically, and mankind generally. In this regard I am open to any 
comments and / or suggestions regarding the above precise of my work. 
Anyone with anything to add can either put it on the mailing list for 
all to see, or e-mail me directly at: [log in to unmask] Your 
contribution will be noted, unless you'd rather not.

Many thanks, and thanks again for an informative and up-to-date 
mailing list.

Simon Hull
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Simon Hull
Department of Geomatics
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch
7700

Ph: +27 21 650 3570 (w)
    +27 21 685 3185 (h)

http://foxbat.sur.uct.ac.za/postgrads/shull/shull.html

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
 to gain what he cannot lose."
Jim Elliott


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