Archaeology goes digital
Like many sectors, archaeology is going digital, meaning you’re more likely to see an archaeologist carrying a computer than wearing a fedora. But this shift doesn’t mean archaeologists are now confined to a desk. In fact, fieldwork remains a critical part of the job. The challenge is integrating new technologies into traditional fieldwork – which is where the EU-funded BiGAr project comes in. The project, which received support from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, set out to advance archaeological research methods. To do so, it combined building information modelling (BIM) with geographical information systems (GIS) to create an integrated representational software programme able to document the 4D nature of archaeological evidence. “This approach can be quicker and more complete than current methods, allowing for a higher degree of collaboration via the internet and providing new opportunities for managing our cultural landscape,” says Marco Cavalazzi, a researcher at the University of Bologna and BiGAr project coordinator.
Synergistic use of BIM and GIS benefits archaeology
Whereas BIM uses 3D models and data to create digital models of various assets, GIS is a computer-based system for storing, analysing and displaying data about the Earth’s surface. While both have the potential to benefit archaeology, BIM has only been applied to architectural analysis and never integrated with GIS. According to Cavalazzi, this is a missed opportunity. “We wanted to create an innovative geospatial environment by developing a new digital workflow that integrates GIS and BIM for managing the vast amount of archaeological data that is collected in fieldwork as excavations and surveys,” he explains. Unfortunately, doing so was easier said than done. “Technological tools that work well in theory often struggle with the complexity of real-world archaeological evidence,” adds Cavalazzi.
Broadening the impact of digital approaches to archaeology
By collaborating with experts from both the archaeological and engineering sectors and conducting additional testing, the project successfully developed several innovative new digital tools. One of those tools combined BIM and GIS to enable innovative and efficient 4D data visualisation within geographic space. By allowing users to interact with the data, this tool broadens the impact of digital approaches to archaeology. The project also introduced a new way of documenting 3D archaeology. “This approach goes beyond the simple representation of archaeological surfaces to their true volumetric representation, including volume characterisation and its development over time – making it a radical transformation of the current approach,” notes Cavalazzi.
Preserving cultural heritage with digital archaeology
Each of the BiGAr tools has been fully tested in the field, including during the excavation of the Zagonara Castle near Ravenna, Italy. This research, which included an artefact survey and the extensive excavation of the castle, documented more than 70 archaeological sites. BiGAr tools were used to manage the variety of data coming from this research. “This work demonstrates the benefits of taking a transformative approach to digital archaeology, how open-source tools and workflows that modernise archaeological documentation can help us better preserve our cultural heritage,” he concludes. Cavalazzi and his team are currently working to further refine and simplify the digital workflow, which would enable a broader application of the project’s tools.
Keywords
BiGAr, archaeology, building information modelling, BIM, geographic information systems, GIS, archaeologist, software, digital archaeology, cultural heritage
