How 3D models (photogrammetry) of rock art can improve recording veracity: a case study from Kakadu National Park, Australia. Issue 2 (3rd May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jalandoni, Andrea; May, Sally K.
• Is Part Of: Australian archaeology. Volume 86:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2020-05-03
• Subjects: Rock art -- photogrammetry -- Structure-from-Motion -- Kakadu -- 3D -- DStretch; Australia -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Aboriginal Australians -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Excavations (Archaeology) -- Australia -- Periodicals; 994.01
• DOI: 10.1080/03122417.2020.1769005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0312-2417

Abstract

Abstract: Creating an inventory of a rock art site in the field can be time-consuming and expensive, but Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry has the potential to alleviate these issues. Using SfM, rock art sites can be recorded rapidly, with a 3D model created to allow a digital inventory to be compiled. However, the veracity of a digital inventory can be questioned. At the Blue Paintings site in Kakadu National Park, Australia, we tested two field inventories against a digitally-derived inventory and ground-truthed the results. The results demonstrated that the digitally-derived inventory was slightly less comprehensive than the field recordings, but only unidentified lines and blotches were lacking; this would not necessarily adversely influence interpretation. Furthermore, the field inventories conducted by different people also had variations, demonstrating that whether the inventory is done on a 3D model or in the field, an inventory is still a human interpretation.