Monitoring of underwater archaeological sites with the use of 3D photogrammetry and legacy data : case study : HMS Maori (Malta)

Abstract

A photogrammetric survey has proven to be a reliable method for documenting underwater archaeological sites. Still, the potential which photogrammetry could have in the monitoring of underwater cultural heritage has been just briefly discussed in the past. The purpose of this dissertation is to test if a cost-effective and time-efficient monitoring scheme can be created, for a modern shipwreck site such as HMS Maori, by using photogrammetry and legacy data. The credibility of legacy data (old video footage) was explored, alongside software capable of producing deviation analysis (Cloud Compare). Some of the key findings of this research confirmed that it is possible to geo-reference and extract information from legacy data 3D models by using the method of ‘common points’ (PhotoScan/Metashape). Also, a comparative study confirmed that deviation analysis could generate quantitative data of an underwater archaeological site. This research demonstrated that a reliable monitoring scheme could be constructed with the help of legacy data and deviation analysis. The application of this methodology provided a better understanding of the change that is continuously happening at the shipwreck site of HMS Maori. A possibility to track site formation processes gives a chance for creating a proper management plan. Ultimately, this dissertation recommends various actions to be undertaken in the forthcoming period, such as: the On-site Conservation Survey, monitoring of the site and its further degradation (Citizen Science) and others.