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Articles

Vol. 52 No. 1 (2025): CAA2025 Digital Horizons: Embracing Heritage in an Evolving World. Proceedings of the 52nd Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology

Spatiotemporal reconstruction of pot burial excavations: An Interactive 3D Tool for excavation documentation and public engagement

DOI
https://doi.org/10.64888/caaproceedings.v52i1.1179
Submitted
March 31, 2026
Published
2026-07-24

Abstract

Archaeological documentation has been transformed by the integration of digital technologies, with three-dimensional (3D) recording and visualization offering new means to preserve and interpret excavation processes. This study explores the combined application of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and interactive 3D visualization to represent both the temporal and spatial dimensions of a pot burial excavation for documentation and public dissemination. Sequential 3D models were generated and incorporated into a custom interactive application that enabled users to explore the excavation process dynamically. The practicality of the followed methodology as well as the labor investment of the digitalization and the 3D interactive multimedia generation are evaluated. User evaluation with participants from both professional and general audiences indicated that the experience was intuitive, engaging, and effective. The results demonstrate that this combined workflow provides a reliable and accessible method for detailed archaeological documentation while fostering public engagement through immersive visualization.

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