Combination of Geometric Documentation and Infrared Thermography Results for Preservation Purposes in Archaeological Sites

Abstract

During the last decade, documentation and three dimensional (3d) reconstruction of archaeological sites and buildings have proven to be a valuable tool in terms of preservation and restoration processes. Moreover, 3d virtual models are used for the representation of cultural heritage assets, in a specific state of preservation at the time of a chosen period. In addition, diagnostic study of monuments with nondestructive testing methods is growing as common practice, for the assessment of their preservation state. A research study of the Acropolis of Erimokastro, an archaeological site in Rhodes Island, Greece, is presented, that concentrates on the use of various documentation methods and their integration for the assessment of the site’s preservation state. Initially, thorough historical documentation was performed. Geometric documentation was conducted using a drone and close range terrestrial photogrammetric processes. Infrared Thermography was applied in selected areas and more specifically in the exterior walls of the Acropolis, for the assessment the preservation state of the walls, for the detection of thermal conductivity of the building materials and decay patterns of the site. The goal of the study is to evaluate the preservation state of the Acropolis, through the integration of various multidisciplinary data including geometric, historical and building material information. Overall, the paper presents the employed 3d surveying techniques, the obtained 3d results and concludes in the documentation processes for analyzing ancient walls within a particular environment and the integration of infrared thermography on the remaining walls of the archaeological site for its sustainable rehabilitation in the future.