Comparisons and Contrasts of Digital Imaging Technologies in Subterranean Mesoamerica

Summary

Over a period of just a few short years there have been dramatic advancements in digital imaging and scanning technologies. Increasingly, cave archaeologists around the world are utilizing many of these new platforms and techniques to document subterranean artwork. This paper outlines two different approaches to digital imaging of ancient Maya cave art. In Guatemala, a Z+F IMAGER 5010C 3D Laser scanner, mounted on a tripod, was employed in Cueva San Juan and Hun Nal Ye to document both painted and carved artwork. In Belize, an Occipital Structure Sensor 3D scanner, mounted on an iPhone 6, was used to document monumental modified speleothem sculptures in Actun Halal. In addition to comparing and contrasting the methodologies, results, costs, time, and logistics involved in these two different archaeological endeavors, we provide suggestions for those who may be interested in carrying out similar initiatives in the future.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Emerging from the Place of Darkness: Subterranean Archaeology in Mesoamerica

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17360