When time is of the essence — recording an underwater excavation at 110 m

Abstract

Underwater archaeological excavations present unique challenges, particularly when conducted at significant depths where divers face limited time on the archaeological site. Traditional methods of recording excavation progress, such as manual documentation and drawings, are too time-consuming when the time on the site totals no more than 12 min. To address these limitations, this paper introduces an innovative approach for daily recording and observation of underwater archaeological excavations using 3D photogrammetric models and point of view (PoV) cameras developed specifically for the excavation of a shipwreck situated at a depth of 110 m. The proposed system leverages advancements in photogrammetry and 3D modelling techniques to capture and analyse detailed visual data of the excavation site on a daily basis. Three-dimensional photogrammetric models offer a comprehensive and easily accessible representation of the excavation site, enabling the team to record and analyse excavation levels and features in a highly precise and detailed manner. By comparing the 3D models captured on consecutive days, researchers can precisely measure changes in the excavation area, identify new artifacts or structures, and record the progress of the excavation. The PoV cameras contribute to the planning of daily tasks required on the site. Overall, this paper showcases innovative methods for underwater archaeological excavations at significant depths, employing 3D photogrammetric models for daily recording as well as PoV cameras for observation. The proposed system represents a substantial advancement in the field of underwater archaeology, offering a more accurate, efficient, and reliable approach to documenting and analysing excavation progress, whilst also producing results that can be subsequently adapted and applied to other deep water archaeological sites.