PRACTICAL EXPLORATION OF LOW-COST YET HIGHLY ACCURATE 3D MAPPING TECHNIQUES FOR DOCUMENTATION AND CONSERVATION OF AN EGYPTIAN TOMB (THEBAN TOMB 45)

Abstract. This research presents the initial endeavour to perform geo-referenced 3D reconstruction of an ancient Egyptian tomb located on the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor, evaluating low-cost techniques. This study uses low-cost equipment in conjunction with simple geodetical principles to accurately map a tomb in 3D to empower archaeological teams with limited budgets to efficiently and effectively map their projects. Emphasizing the project goals of both high detail and high accuracy, one of our chosen techniques is photogrammetry with a standard system camera. Additionally, 3D mapping with a modern smartphone was explored in the tomb and was compared with results from the photogrammetry process. Geo-referencing the underground map in a global grid was also part of the project goals. This research shows that, within certain reasonable constraints, the chosen low-cost techniques successfully achieved all goals of producing a highly detailed, highly accurate, and georeferenced 3D map of the selected tomb (Theban Tomb 45). In this first season of mapping the tomb in 3D, various mapping methods were used and tried and where possible compared. Digitally mapping an ancient, underground Egyptian tomb requires a planned approach. In order to better plan when using low-cost scanning equipment, preliminary research was done for mapping a mostly underground, relatively small but complex to survey ancient Egyptian tomb. Data have been collected with the use of both devices and also with a total station, a laser distance meter and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) datalogger.