3D Modeling and Semantic Classification of Archaeological Finds for Management and Visualization in 3D Archaeological Databases

The generation of digital 3D models of archaeological finds can be followed by further products, applications and studies such as a semantic classification in order to organize the digitally documented finds and provide connections between 3D models and databases. In this contribution we present a methodology developed to assist the superintendence of archaeological excavations or sites in the digital classification, management and visualization of finds inside advanced database/repository. Our approach, divided in three mutually connected steps (modeling, segmentation and visualization), has been realized as general as possible and tested on different types of archaeological objects. Firstly a reality-based 3D model of a find is produced, using photogrammetry or active sensors. Secondly the geometric model is semi-automatically segmented and classified according to archaeological and architectural rules. The semantic classification of the finds is afterwards linked to an archaeological database to e.g. decide whether the object is constituted by original pieces or some of them belong to other finds and should be re-located. Finally the modeled and classified find is visualized in 3D open-source systems linked to an archaeological database. The visualization of the achieved results (3D models and thematic layers) is thus very useful for monitoring and updating intervention policies within the archaeological area.