Some aspects of close-range photogrammetric surveys for Cultural Heritage documentation

Photogrammetry is today one of the most interesting techniques which can be applied to Cultural Heritage surveying and specifically to Archaeology; terrestrial close-range applications have been playing a growing role in an increasing number of excavations and to the rigorous documentation of objects maintained in museums or collections. The development of digital instruments and digital processes has increased this tendency, making possible for a large number of researchers and surveyors to approach this technique and to obtain results with instruments of lower cost using hardware and software more easily available. Despite this trend, a good knowledge of photogrammetric theory and of the problems involved in the overall process is necessary to achieve reliable results and to obtain an estimate of their quality; a multidisciplinary approach to the surveying problem, where geomatic engineers can convey their specific expertise in collaboration with archaeologists, constitutes of course the most appropriate and modern solution. The aim of the paper is to point out some main characteristics of Close-Range Photogrammetry, and to discuss technical aspects related to practical applications of archaeological interest.