Mapping Submerged Archaeological Sites using Stereo-Vision Photogrammetry - Robotics Institute Carnegie Mellon University

Mapping Submerged Archaeological Sites using Stereo-Vision Photogrammetry

Jon Henderson, Oscar Pizarro, Matthew Johnson-Roberson, and Ian Mahon
Journal Article, International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 243 - 256, September, 2013

Abstract

Creating photo‐mosaics and plans of submerged archaeological sites quickly, cost‐effectively and, most importantly, to a high level of geometric accuracy remains a huge challenge in underwater archaeology. This paper describes a system that takes geo‐referenced stereo imagery from a diver‐propelled platform and combines it with mapping techniques widely used in the field of robotic science to create high‐resolution 2D photo‐mosaics and detailed 3D textured models of submerged archaeological features. The system was field tested on the submerged Bronze Age town of Pavlopetri off the coast of Laconia, Greece, in 2010. This paper outlines the equipment used, data collection in the field, image processing and visualization methodology.

Notes
This work was supported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence programme, the Institute of Aegean Prehistory, The University of Nottingham, The British School at Athens, The Hellenic Ministry of Culture and The Municipality of Voiai. Special thanks to Dr Angeliki Simosi (Director of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities), Elias Spondylis (the Greek Director of the Pavlopetri Project), Aggelos Mallios, Dimitris Sakellariou and the Hellenic Centre for Maritime Research for their help in facilitating operations at Pavlopetri. Without the support of Professor Cathy Morgan, Tania Gerousi, Chrysanthi Gallou and the diver‐rig field team (Gemma Hudson, Peter Campbell, Kirsten Flemming, Ariell Friedman, Robin Harvey, Derek Irwin and Stefan Williams) the work could not have taken place.

BibTeX

@article{Henderson-2013-130192,
author = {Jon Henderson and Oscar Pizarro and Matthew Johnson-Roberson and Ian Mahon},
title = {Mapping Submerged Archaeological Sites using Stereo-Vision Photogrammetry},
journal = {International Journal of Nautical Archaeology},
year = {2013},
month = {September},
volume = {43},
number = {2},
pages = {243 - 256},
}