Graphical Representation and Interpretation Method for Surveying Masonry Structures: Semantically Enriched 2.5D Textures

Abstract

Starting from the stratigraphic method for archaeological data representation, the paper presents a methodological approach based on the creation of a new semantic tool suitable for supporting archaeologists in the stages of 3D data management and stratigraphic analysis, namely semantically enriched 2.5D textures. This kind of representation consists in a streamlined model obtained from the combination of depth maps and orthophotos drawn from 3D photogrammetric surveying and modelling. Moreover, it is enriched by semantic aspects concerning the roman opus. The development of this tool is useful for many reasons, such as: containing all metric information, combining the use of 3D survey instrumentation with semantic aspects, assuring a realistic representation of stratigraphic annotations, establishing the relation between semantic rules and an interpretive model, and connecting preliminary stratigraphic data to a graphical interface conceived for semantic annotations of patterns. The possibility of using photogrammetric surveying in order to have an accurate geometrical image of current artefact status allows the identification of masonry structure typology as well as its association with attributes that permit the quantification and qualification of the roman opus. This approach will be described through the case study of masonry structures at the archaeological sites of the mediterranean area (ie. Pompeii, Scolacium).