Quality specification and control of a point cloud from a TLS survey using ISO 19157 standard

Francisco J. Ariza-López, Juan F. Reinoso-Gordo, José L. García-Balboa, Íñigo A. Ariza-López, Quality specification and control of a point cloud from a TLS survey using ISO 19157 standard, Automation in Construction (0926-5805), 2022, Volume 140:104353, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104353.This paper presents an application of the ISO 19157 framework to the case of a point cloud (PC) representing a heritage asset whose purpose is to serve specific use cases that could be managed in a building information modeling (BIM) environment. The main contribution of this study is to clarify the relationships between the different parts of the ISO 19157 framework applied to heritage building information modeling (HBIM) products derived from terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) surveys by means of a running example. This paper presents a proposal to evaluate, control and report on the quality of the TLS survey of the Ariza Bridge (a 16th century construction). In order to achieve this objective the data quality specifications that must be met are defined by describing and identifying the requirements of five use cases of the data product: 3D visualization, location transfer, measurement, plane generation and absolute positioning. The specifications, according to ISO 19157, are formalized by selecting the data quality element to be measured, its scope, the measure used and the level of conformity necessary for the element to be accepted. In addition, the control methods for each quality element are proposed.Universidad de Jaén / CBUA (open access charge), Regional Government of Andalucía (grant no. PAIDI-TEP-164) and Universidad de Jaén (grant no. TEP164_2021, POAIUJA 21-22)

Monitorización de una excavación arqueológica usando fotogrametría y modelos digitales del terreno (MDT). El caso de estudio de Barranco León, Orce (Granada, España)

In this paper, we describe and discuss emergent digital technologies employed for monitoring the excavations at the archaeological site of Barranco León (Granada, Spain) between 2017 and 2020. The method entails the following material requirements: a total station, a conventional camera, a computer and a software that integrates photogrammetry algorithms; in terms of human resources, the presence of an engineer for the first day of the excavation to set up the methodological process and trained excavation staff to perform said method on a daily basis is necessary. Here we present the daily workflow for monitoring archaeological excavations introduced at the site, followed by an estimation of the costs and a summary of the results obtained. The method introduced here is based on the height difference of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) computed on successive days using photogrammetric techniques. It is a non-invasive method, which requires less than 8% of the economic resources of the excavation and can be carried out in less than 15 minutes. This allows the excavation director to have an accurate and visual idea of the excavation process in order to make appropriate decisions. In addition, from the results obtained in the method (differences in DEM of every two days), other derived results can be obtained such as the exact location of the archaeological remains extracted based on their size. These features highlight the relevance and applicability of this approach to a wide range of archaeological sites.En este artículo, describimos y discutimos las tecnologías digitales emergentes utilizadas para la monitorización de las excavaciones del yacimiento arqueológico de Barranco León (Granada, España) entre las campañas de 2017 y 2020. El método implica el uso de los siguientes recursos materiales: una estación total, una cámara de fotos convencional, un ordenador y un programa que integre algoritmos de fotogrametría; referente a los recursos humanos, es necesaria la presencia de un ingeniero durante el primer día de la excavación para establecer el proceso metodológico y un excavador entrenado para llevar a cabo dicho método diariamente. Aquí, presentamos un flujo de trabajo diario para la monitorización de la excavación de un yacimiento arqueológico, seguido de una estimación de los costos y un resumen de los resultados obtenidos. El método presentado se basa en la diferencia de altura de los modelos digitales del terreno (MDT) calculados en sucesivos días utilizando técnicas fotogramétricas. Es un método no invasivo, que requiere menos del 8% del coste total de la excavación y se puede llevar a cabo en menos de 15 minutos. Esto permite que el director de la excavación tenga una visión precisa y una idea visual del proceso de excavación para tomar las decisiones adecuadas. Además, a partir de los resultados obtenidos en el método (diferencias en MDT de cada dos días), se pueden obtener otros resultados derivados como la ubicación exacta de los restos arqueológicos extraídos en función de su tamaño.Junta de Andalucia BC.03.032/17FEDER 2020 Operative Program Research Project A-HUM-016-UGR1

DEMs: An Approach to Users and Uses from the Quality Perspective

The importance of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) is great in geosciences, but a general view of users and uses which would bring the concept of quality closer to users is lacking. For this reason, the aim of this paper was three-fold: to obtain better knowledge of users, determine the main application domains of DEMs, and identify main use cases. For this purpose, we used data from two web questionnaires (MR1 and MR2), a search of the ScienceDirect database (MR3) and a Google search (MR4). The data coming from the MR1 resource have offered us a large number of cases in order to characterise the profile of users in Spain. The MR2 resource is an ad hoc designed survey which has allowed us, among other things, to identify those calculations that are more normal; determine that subjective evaluation of quality is of great importance for users; and conclude that there is a high percentage of users who do not use any quality index, and also that the majority of users do not know how to evaluate the influence of poor quality on their work. Through MR3, it was possible to analyse the relationships between relevant items and carry out a semantic analysis of a set of 950 abstracts. From MR4, it can be concluded that the formalisation of applications as use cases is not normal. This paper identifies some research lines in order to offer users a better understanding of the issue of quality regarding DEMs

A Field Procedure for the Assessment of the Centring Uncertainty of Geodetic and Surveying Instruments

The uncertainty evaluation of survey measurements is a daily and essential task in any surveying work. The result of a measurement is, in fact, only complete when accompanied by a statement of its uncertainty. Miscentring, or centring error, is one of the sources of uncertainty in every basic survey measurement which may have a great effect on horizontal angle measurement for short distances. In the literature, different terms and values are considered to refer to this source of uncertainty. Standard ISO 17123 provides different procedures for assessing the measurement uncertainty of geodetic and surveying instruments, with the aim of checking their suitability for the intending and immediate task in field conditions. ISO 17123 is aware of the importance of uncertainty in the instrument centring, but it does not propose any standardised procedure for its assessment. In this study, we propose such a procedure following a Type A evaluation (through the statistical analysis of series of observations), avoiding using values from Type B evaluations (from manufacturer’s specifications, handbooks, personal experiences, etc.) that could be unsuitable for the conditions of the task. Uncertainty can be individualised for a particular instrument (which includes the plummet type), ground mark, operator, and other factors on which the results could be dependent. The testing methodology includes a configuration of the test field, measurements, and calculation, following the structure of each part of the standard ISO 17123. An experimental application is included with two different total stations, which also includes a statistical analysis of the results.The work of J.R.-R. was funded by the Vice Chancellor of Relations with Society and Labour Insertion of the University of Jaén (Grant No. 06190505N5 IFT1). The article processing charge (APC) was funded by the Research Groups “Ingeniería Cartográfica” and “Microgeodesia Jaén” (Grant Nos. PAIDI-TEP-164 and PAIDI-RNM-282 from the Regional Government of Andalucía) which also received financial support from PAIUJA R5/1/2017 of the University of Jaén

Variables Influencing the Accuracy of 3D Modeling of Existing Roads Using Consumer Cameras in Aerial Photogrammetry

Point cloud (PC) generation from photogrammetry–remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) at high spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy is of increasing importance for many applications. For several years, photogrammetry–RPAS has been used to recover civil engineering works such as digital elevation models (DEMs), triangle irregular networks (TINs), contour levels, orthophotographs, etc. This study analyzes the influence of variables involved in the accuracy of PC generation over asphalt shapes and determines the most influential variable based on the development of an artificial neural network (ANN) with patterns identified in the test flights. The input variables were those involved, and output was the three-dimension root mean square error (3D-RMSE) of the PC in each ground control point (GCP). The result of the study shows that the most influential variable over PC accuracy is the modulation transfer function 50 (MTF50). In addition, the study obtained an average 3D-RMSE of 1 cm. The results can be used by the scientific and civil engineering communities to consider MTF50 variables in obtaining images from RPAS cameras and to predict the accuracy of a PC over asphalt based on the ANN developed. Also, this ANN could be the beginning of a large database containing patterns from several cameras and lenses in the world market.The article processing charge (APC) was funded by the Research Group “Ingeniería Cartográfica” (Grant No. PAIDI-TEP-164 from the Regional Government of Andalucía) from the University of Jaén

Walking among Mammoths. Remote Sensing and Virtual Reality Supporting the Study and Dissemination of Pleistocene Archaeological Sites: The Case of Fuente Nueva 3 in Orce, Spain

D.B. and S.T. are grateful for support from the Spanish government Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICINN-FEDER) code CGL2016-80975-P, Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) code 2017 SGR 859 and CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. S.T. is also beneficiary of the Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano (Italy). J.M.J.-A. belongs to the Research Group HUM-607, Junta de Andalucía. The authors would like to thank the editor of this volume and the reviewers for their useful and accurate comments, which have undoubtedly improved previous versions of this paper.Remote sensing is a useful tool for the documentation of archaeological sites. The products derived from a photogrammetric project applied to archaeology such as orthophotos and three-dimensional virtual reconstruction (3DVR), allow for detailed study of the Fuente Nueva 3 site in Orce. In our study of the Fuente Nueva 3 site in Orce, we used 3DVR intensively to map out the morphometric features of mammoth tusks exposed on the surface and a geological fault affecting the site’s deposits. To do so, we used imagery captured since 2017 in order to follow the evolution of ongoing excavations during each subsequent field season. We also integrated the 3DVR model in a videogame environment, to create a virtual reality (VR) that allows a VR navigation experience around the scenario using a head mounted display like Oculus Rift. The main features of this VR experience are: (1) It is ideal for the diffusion of archaeological contents since it permits an attractive presentation mode thanks to stereo visualization and realistic immersion sensations; (2) it provides a high level of detail all along the navigation experience, without incurring any damage to the archaeological remains; (3) it allows users to observe more details than they would in an in situ visit to the site; (4) it makes it possible to convert an archaeological site into portable heritage, opening up the possibility to extend visits to vulnerable groups: specifically those with reduced mobility. Our results show that using VR should permit enhancements to a visitor’s experience and contribute to the socio-economic development of the town of Orce, one of the Spanish municipalities with the lowest income.Junta de Andalucia BC.03.032/17FEDER 2010 Operative Program Research Project A-HUM-016-UGR1

Not seen before. Unveiling depositional context and Mammuthus meridionalis exploitation at Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, southern Iberia) through taphonomy and microstratigraphy

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.This research has been carried out thanks to projects PID 2021.125098NB.I00 funding by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa and ProyExcel_00274 funding by Dirección General de Planificación de la Investigación (Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación, Junta de Andalucía). In addition, this research has been supported by the following projects of the Spanish government: PID2021-122533NB-I00, PID2021-123092NB-C21, PID2022-136832NB-I00. We also acknowledge the support provided by the PALARQ Foundation through the project Ref: PR2004_19/01

A multi-proxy approach to the palaecological reconstruction of the Orce Basin Archaeological Zone (Granada, Spain)

Comunicación oral presentada en XXI INQUA Congress. July 14th – 20th 2023, Rome (Italy)The Orce Basin Archaeological Zone (OZAB, Granada, Spain) extends over a surface area of some > 8.5 km2 and constitutes one of the richest Pleistocene vertebrate fossil records in western Europe including one of the oldest hominin presence in this part of Eurasia. Exceptionally rich collections of stone tools have been excavated from both of the Orce Oldowan sites: Barranco León (BL) (1.4 Ma) and Fuente Nueva 3 (FN3) (1.2 Ma), while BL has yielded a hominin deciduous lower molar. We present a multi-proxy approach to determine the palaeoeocological context of these first hominin settlements in Western Europe. By combining results from macrovertebrates, microvertebrates, as well as from pollen and stable isotopes from macrovertebrate tooth enamel, we determine whether the palaeo landscapes were dominated by savanna or open woodland. The results reveal the regional specificities of the OAZB, and also allow us to infer local features within the Orce sites. Overall, our data reveal the dominance of a typically Mediterranean climate and landscape since 1.8 Ma ago. The climatic conditions were generally more humid than at present, with warmer temperatures during the coldest months, indicating a higher net primary productivity (NPP). We find that precipitation and NPP appear to have been limiting factors for hominin presence in the OAZB. Thus, at the older palaeontological site of Venta Micena (1.6 Ma), climatic conditions appear to have been less compatible with hominin presence than during the BL and FN3 sequences, when early hominins inhabiting the OAZB were able to cope with changing climatic and environmental settings. Lastly, the comparison of the isotopic results of the Orce sites with those of the contemporaneous Shungura Formation (Ethiopia) reveals that the habitat in the westernmost part of Eurasia was distinctly unlike a typical African savanna

Not seen before. Unveiling depositional context and Mammuthus meridionalis exploitation at Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, southern Iberia) through taphonomy and microstratigraphy

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.Research at Fuente Nueva 3 is currently possible thanks to the support and approval of the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte (Junta de Andalucía, Spain) through the General Research Project (2023–2026) Evolución humana y paleoecología a partir de los yacimientos pleistocenos de la Zona Arqueológica ‘Cuenca de Orce’. Retos y desafíos (Ref: SIDPH/DI/MCM). This research has been carried out thanks to projects PID 2021.125098NB.I00 funding by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa and ProyExcel_00274 funding by Dirección General de Planificación de la Investigación (Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación, Junta de Andalucía). In addition, this research has been supported by the following projects of the Spanish government: PID2021-122533NB-I00, PID2021-123092NBC21, PID2022-136832NB-I00. We also acknowledge the support provided by the PALARQ Foundation through the project Ref: PR2004_19/01. The research of C.S-B., D.B., P-P., S.T., J.A., and H.-A.B. is funded by the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. A.F.M. was supported by an APOST postdoctoral grant (APOST/2021/110, Generalitat Valenciana) cofinanced by the European Social Fund, and is currently supported by a Margarita Salas contract from the Ayudas para la recualificación del sistema universitario español (MS21-048), Ministerio de Universidades del Gobierno de España, financed by the European Union-NextGenerationEU. S.T. is supported by a Margarita Salas employment contract for access to the Spanish System of Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (2021URV-MS-03) funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU, the Ministry of Universities and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. P.P. is supported by a Juan de la Cierva - Incorporación contract (grant IJC2020-044108-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “European Union-NextGenerationEU/PRTR”. Similiarly, we also have to acknowledge the financial support provided by the PALARQ Foundation, funded through the project titled “Dilucidando la acción de los carnívoros en los yacimientos del Pleistoceno Inferior Ibérico del Pontón de la Oliva (Madrid) y de Fuente Nueva 3 y de Venta Micena 3 y 4 (Granada). Ref: PR2004_19/01”. The work of J.S. was funded by the Academy of Finland during this work (AoF. project nr. 340775/346292, NEPA - Non-analogue ecosystems in the past)

Quality specification and control of a point cloud from a TLS survey using ISO 19157 standard

This paper presents an application of the ISO 19157 framework to the case of a point cloud (PC) representing a heritage asset whose purpose is to serve specific use cases that could be managed in a building information modeling (BIM) environment. The main contribution of this study is to clarify the relationships between the different parts of the ISO 19157 framework applied to heritage building information modeling (HBIM) products derived from terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) surveys by means of a running example. This paper presents a proposal to evaluate, control and report on the quality of the TLS survey of the Ariza Bridge (a 16th century construction). In order to achieve this objective the data quality specifications that must be met are defined by describing and identifying the requirements of five use cases of the data product: 3D visualization, location transfer, measurement, plane generation and absolute positioning. The specifications, according to ISO 19157, are formalized by selecting the data quality element to be measured, its scope, the measure used and the level of conformity necessary for the element to be accepted. In addition, the control methods for each quality element are proposed