Preserving and documenting regionally significant cultural sites using Ultra-High-Resolution UAV Imagery, a Low-Cost UAV and Structure from Motion

Keywords: Regional, cultural, archaeology, UAS, Drone, 3d model, mapping
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 62

Abstract

Cultural heritage sites are important to preserve and document for a number of reasons. One of which is to preserve the state of a site that is exposed to the elements and suffering from weathering and other environmental and human factors that may hasten the inevitable deterioration process. This is typically done using archaeological surveys. While this is still the primary method for documenting these sites, 3d models are becoming an important addition. In this study, digital 3D models were generated using ultra-high-resolution images captured from a low-cost UAV and processed using structure-from-motion software.
This study focuses on the Ormand Furnace, also known as the Washington Furnace, which is a site of regional cultural significance and located in Bessemer City North Carolina. It is known to have existed since before 1788 and was one of several furnaces that produced iron products for that region. The furnace was nominated to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. A low-cost UAS was used to image the furnace and map the surrounding area. These images were processed using structure-from-motion to create a digital georeferenced 3d model of the furnace and a topographic site map. While no ground control points were used in this study, the UAS had a built in GNSS that created model and mapping products with sub meter accuracy.