Chiaroscuro Photogrammetry: Revolutionizing 3D Modeling in Low Light Conditions for Archaeological Sites

Published

17-7-2024

Type of Work

Article - Journal

Advisors and Contributors

We wish to thank the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation NTRB for their ongoing support of this project, particularly Brett Miller (General Manager) and Dale Furley (Ranger Coordinator, since deceased) and senior custodians and native title holders: Anton Mundy, Clem Lawrie, April Lawrie, and Kaylene Dyinawili Wombat. Thanks also to the Nullarbor Advisory Group and Ceduna Base staff, Department of Environment, South Australia, for your continued interest and enthusiasm. We also wish to acknowledge logistical support from Clare Buswell, CAVEPS, Leslie Van Gelder, and the team of willing helpers.

Project Affiliation

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

Abstract

Archaeologists working in low light conditions have had difficulty producing 3D models that are both scientific and aesthetic. We are presenting chiaroscuro photogrammetry, a technique inspired by Renaissance artists, to solve this problem. The method is portable, inexpensive, low impact, adaptable, fast, and requires no additional expertise beyond photogrammetry. While first trialed on a rock and a tree that produced promising outcomes, the true test was on a panel of finger flutings in a completely dark chamber of Koonalda Cave, South Australia. The result was a 3D model of the finger flutings with evenly balanced light and deep colors, and the geometry of the model was free from holes and visible artifacts. The 3D model produced using chiaroscuro photogrammetry was visually and geometrically accurate, even more so than flash photogrammetry. Chiaroscuro photogrammetry has the potential to revolutionize 3D modeling in low light conditions for a variety of archaeological contexts.

Citation

Jalandoni, A., Haubt, R., Walshe, K., & Nowell, A. (2025). Chiaroscuro Photogrammetry: Revolutionizing 3D Modeling in Low Light Conditions for Archaeological Sites. Journal of Field Archaeology, 50(2), 132–144. https://doi.org/10.1080/00934690.2024.2369826

Income (grants or other funding)

Other

This project was funded in part by an Insight grant to A. N. from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

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