Three-Dimensional Gigapan Views of Archaeological Sites and Artifacts: Examples from the Paleolithic of Southwest France

Abstract

The use of Gigapan imagery in an archaeological context allows for quick, very high resolution recording of excavationsurfaces, artifacts and surrounding areas. At the Paleolithic site of Abri Castanet (France), we have, since 2008, used aGigapan imager mounted horizontally to record lateral variation across our active excavation surface. Using GIS softwareand topographic data from our onsite Total Station, we can then minimize distortion, plot the image relative to artifact andfeature locations and display all of these data in three-dimensions. This gives us a unique way to record and analyze patternsof variation across a constrained archaeological horizon. In addition, we have recently began a project using this technique torecord, process and project imagery of early Upper Paleolithic engraved blocks and rockshelter ceilings, representing some ofthe earliest examples of cave art in Europe.</p