3D Modeling the Sites of the Virgin Branch Ancestral Puebloan with Photogrammetry and BIM

Summary

On the Shivwits Plateau, there is scarce information concerning how the Virgin Branch Ancestral Puebloan people constructed their pueblos. This is a result of post-depositional processes that have destroyed much of the building materials. To overcome this hurdle, 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) is allowing archaeologists to reconstruct these ancient structures digitally. These digital 3D models output volumetric data that are used to estimate material quantities, labor investments, and to evaluate whether the structures were occupied seasonally or year-round. However, these 3D models can be further enhanced through the method of Photogrammetry, which archaeologists are using to record ancient sites digitally. This method is through stitching photos together and producing a 3-Dimensional model of the ancient sites. Additionally, Photogrammetry results in a more accurate record than a hand sketched map and is significantly less expensive than LiDAR. Through the combination of Photogrammetry and BIM, this research is creating a more accurate reconstruction of the ancient pueblo sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17271