Understanding Archaeological Site Topography: 3D Archaeology of Archaeology

The current ubiquitous use of 3D recording technologies in archaeological fieldwork, for a large part due to the application of budget-friendly (drone) sensors and the availability of many low-cost image-based 3D modelling software packages, has exponentially increased the amount of 3D data of archaeological sites and landscapes. Various applications have advanced far beyond the experimental phase, such as the deployment of 3D surface recording for excavation interpretation, as a complementary data layer for prospection and as the basis for visualisation/presentation. Of particular attention here is the degree to which drone 3D recording can further advance the understanding of archaeological site topography. In this paper, current developments in the field of 3D recording will be discussed in the context of the ‘Archaeology of Archaeology’ approach, which is being developed at the University of Amsterdam. This paper is the result of a Round Table discussion at the CAA conference on April 5, 2023, in Amsterdam. The examples at the conference sessions clearly showed how beneficial it is when 3D recording techniques can be combined with other available information. In particular, the potential of old photographs was highlighted. Our experiences at Troy suggest that re-excavation of dumps and specific trenches and comparison of finds are also highly promising. In addition, considering the manifold possibilities of 3D hard- and software and the sheer quantity of the data available for a site such as Troy, several attendees to the session emphasized the necessity of a problem-oriented approach when researching and developing a platform as an access point, organising, and presenting collected information.