There’s An App For That: Cost-Effectiveness of Lidar/Photogrammetry Smart Phone Applications for Virtual Osteology

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The use of three-dimensional (3D) models for skeletal analysis has become common practice for osteological research. However, current methods for obtaining the 3D models are either too costly, such as computer tomography (CT), or require time-consuming post-processing such as scanners or cameras. Recent advances in technology have resulted in the development of affordable 3D image-capturing methods using smartphone applications. Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and LIDAR software applications such as Scaniverse and Polycam, coupled with the increased quality of high-resolution cameras in smartphones can provide an alternative to conventional methods of capturing osteological data. The study involves cranial 3D models from the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology documented forensic collection created with an iPhone using the two applications. Existing CT scans and 3D models from a surface scanner will also be included in the study. A suite of landmark data and craniometric measurements will be collected from each 3D model and compared against physical measurements using statistical analysis to determine the degree of accuracy of each model. The results will offer a low-cost alternative method of documenting skeletal collections in places where a scanner or CT imaging is not an option such as in-situ archaeological contexts or remote osteological repositories.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 40213.0