3-D modelling in rock art research: Terrestrial laser scanning, photogrammetry and the time factor

Abstract : Recent developments in 3-D technology have resulted in considerable improvements in the recording and study of rock art sites in various parts of the world. These technologies make it possible to digitally document sites at nested scales, from detailed analyses of individual motifs on rock surfaces to entire sites in their broader landscape settings. Because of the increased precision that 3-D recordings bring, the results can be used to study the art and site settings, and to monitor and guide conservation strategies. This chapter outlines key principles underlying the production of 3-D imagery and how high-resolution 3-D models can benefit the spatial analysis of sites and landscapes and the interrelationship of features therein. The authors focus on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and photogrammetry, distinctive approaches that are often applied together for a richer outcome.