Angel Muñoz-Nieto

3D Digital Surveying and Modelling of Cave Geometry: Application to Paleolithic Rock Art.

3D digital surveying and modelling of cave geometry represents a relevant approach for research, management and preservation of our cultural and geological legacy. In this paper, a multi-sensor approach based on a terrestrial laser scanner, a high-resolution digital camera and a total station is presented. Two emblematic caves of Paleolithic human occupation and situated in northern Spain, “Las Caldas” and “Peña de Candamo”, have been chosen to put in practise this approach. As a result, an integral and multi-scalable 3D model is generated which may allow other scientists, pre-historians, geologists…, to work on two different levels, integrating different Paleolithic Art datasets: (1) a basic level based on the accurate and metric support provided by the laser scanner; and (2) a advanced level using the range and image-based modelling.

Monitoring the health of an emblematic monument from terrestrial laser scanner

This paper deals with the application of terrestrial laser scanner technology to the health monitoring of a monument in the World Heritage List. Specifically, this monument is a mediaeval wall located in Avila, Spain. The main aim of the paper is to show the relevance and novelty offered by the laser scanning methodology developed, which incorporates different statistical and modelling approaches not considered until now. In addition, the methods proposed in this paper together with the obtained results allow the measurement of entire structures or deformed shapes in buildings. The accuracy of our methodology compared to surveying methods proved satisfactory. Thus, they have been useful not only to show its viability but also to secure and maintain the safety and serviceability of this emblematic monument.

Mobile LiDAR System: New Possibilities for the Documentation and Dissemination of Large Cultural Heritage Sites

Mobile LiDAR System is an emerging technology that combines multiple sensors. Active sensors, together with Inertial and Global Navigation System, are synchronized on a mobile platform to produce an accurate and precise geospatial 3D point cloud. They allow obtaining a large amount of georeferenced 3D information in a fast and efficient way, which can be used in several applications such as the 3D recording and reconstruction of complex urban areas and/or landscapes. In this study the Mobile LiDAR System is applied in the field of Cultural Heritage aiming to evaluate its performance with the purpose to document, divulgate, or to develop an architectural analysis. This study was focused on the Medieval Wall of Avila (Spain) and, specifically, the performed accuracy tests were applied in the “Alcazar” gate (National Monument from 1884). The Mobile LiDAR System is then compared to the most commonly employed active sensors (Terrestrial Laser Scanner) for large Cultural Heritage sites in regard to time, accuracy and resolution of the point cloud. The discrepancies between both technologies are established comparing directly the 3D point clouds generated, highlighting the errors affecting the architectural structures. Consequently, and based on a detailed geometrical analysis, an optimization methodology is proposed, establishing a segmented and classified cluster for the structures. Furthermore, three main clusters are settled, according to the curvature: (i) planar or low curvature; (ii) cylindrical, mild transitions and medium curvature; and (iii) the abrupt transitions of high curvature. The obtained 3D point clouds in each cluster are analyzed and optimized, considering the reference spatial sampling, according to a confidence interval and the feature curvature. The presented results suggest that Mobile LiDAR System is an optimal approach, allowing a high-speed data acquisition and providing an adequate accuracy for large Cultural Heritage sites.

Geomatics and Geophysics Synergies to Evaluate Underground Wine Cellars

This article presents a multidisciplinary study to evaluate the internal and external state of underground wine cellars. In particular, five historical subterranean wine cellars that present a complex structure and whose underground three-dimensional (3D) shape and their connections with the external surface are unknown. They are recorded and analyzed with non-invasive techniques. An approach that integrates surveying geotechnologies (terrestrial laser scanner, global positioning system) with geophysical prospecting equipment (ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography), was used in order to plan architectural restoration actions. The combination of both sets of techniques implies an improvement in the information gathered compared with they are applied separately, facilitating the interpretation of geophysical data to generate accurate geometric geophysical profiles and highlighting the evaluation of the state of this type of architectonic heritage.

Application of Non-Destructive Techniques to the Recording and Modelling of Palaeolithic Rock Art

1.1 Motivation According to Spanish legislation and international organisations such as UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the European Union, historical and artistic heritages should be preserved and placed in the service of society for either cultural, scientific or educational purposes. Thus, it is necessary to document and invest in their preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and/or archival for subsequent scientific studies (Elwazani, 2003), in addition to documenting their dissemination and social value. Archaeological remains are part of peoples’ historical artistic heritage and represent a testimony of their past. The attitude and sensibility towards this cultural inheritance say much about our future as a society. The documentation of general heritage and particularly archaeological heritage properties is indispensable before performing any type of measure or intervention. Such documentation implies recording, storing, cataloguing and measuring the elements that compose the heritage property. With regards to archaeological heritage, these tasks are developed both with elements that comprise movable heritage (for example, bone and lithic industries) and with elements that comprise non-movable heritage (for example, buildings, fields and caves). The geometric component of archaeological documentation begins with measurement and has the objective of a graphical representation, using multiple strategies and support. The act of measuring implies a quantification of the spatial characteristics of an object, especially its shape, dimensions, orientation and location, both in its immediate environment and in relation to the global geographic context. In the geographic documentation of heritage, the measurement and graphical representation are indivisible tasks. Particularly, the traditional procedures of documentation and graphical representation are based on employing equipment that has a low cost and is easy to use. Despite the effectiveness of these procedures, they exhibit a series of inconveniences, such as the large amount of time required to acquire data, the limit of work within a twodimensional scope, the loss of information during data transfer and the need to physically

Architectural orthophoto plan for pathological characterization of the Medieval Wall of Avila

This article presents the development of a specific architectural orthophoto plan applied to the Medieval Wall of Avila, with the aim of obtaining a high quality cartographic product which allow us to undertake actions for pathological and structural characterization. This product must provide support for decision making concerning the pathology and structural characterization of the wall. To this end, a combined use of geomatics non-destructive techniques, specifically laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry will be applied. As a result of this integration, orthophotos with a pixel size of 4mm (GSD) will be obtained, constituting a tool with great potential for the different actors involved in the management of the conservation and restoration of this valuable monument.

Integration of TLS, close range photogrammetry and spatial information systems

This paper describes a methodology based on combining TLS and close range photogrammetry aimed at generating the geometry of 3-D surfaces as well as 3D real textured models and map products for further study. Also, a spatial information system based on spherical photograph is presented that allows performing virtual tours as well as geo-referencing graphical or numerical data derived from the TLS or photogrammetric survey. The methodology is applied to the survey of the Llonín Cave, Asturias, in the Northwest of Spain.

Geomatics and Forensic: Progress and Challenges

Since graphics hold qualitative and quantitative information of complex crime scenes, it becomes a basic key to develop hypothesis in police investigations and also to prove these hypotheses in court. Forensic analysis involves tasks of scene information mining as well as its reconstruction in order to extract elements for explanatory police test or to show forensic evidence in legal proceedings. Currently, the combination of sensors and technologies allows the integration of spatial data and the generation of virtual infographic products (orthoimages, solid images, point clouds, cross‐sections, etc.) which are extremely attractive. These products, which successfully retain accurate 3D metric information, are revolutionizing dimensional reconstruction of objects and crime scenes. Thus, it can be said that the reconstruction and 3D visualization of complex scenes are one of the main challenges for the international scientific community. To overcome this challenge, techniques related with computer vision, computer graphics and geomatics work closely. This chapter reviews a set of geomatic techniques, applied to improve infographic forensic products, and its evolution. The integration of data from different sensors whose final purpose is 3D accurate modelling is also described. As we move into a highly active research area, where there are still many uncertainties to be resolved, the final section addresses these challenges and outlines future perspectives.

New Insights into the Concept of Orienteering Maps

Abstract Orienteering is both a mental and physical activity. A compass and maps are the basic tools of orienteering, and orienteering requires specialized maps that have been adapted and standardized to guarantee fair competition. Map-making for orienteering has become a highly specialized cartographic task. This paper aims to answer three main questions: What is an orienteering map (o-map)? How should we categorize o-maps? What are its essential components? The answers to these questions provide insight into the concept and nature of o-maps. By analysing the functions of this type of maps and by searching for similarities and differences between o-maps, topographic maps, and nautical charts, we attempt to comprehensively characterize and conceptualize o-maps to contribute to their improvement.