NEOLITHIC TOMBS
In the Boyne valley co.Meath, Ireland are the finest examples of Neolithic passage tombs with high concentrations of prehistoric rock art.
This digital documentation project was set up by Steve Davis at the University of Dublin and David Strange-Walker of Trent and Peak archaeology.
The aim of the project was to 3D record in great detail two of these monuments, Knowth and Dowth.
In the Boyne valley co.Meath, Ireland are the finest examples of Neolithic passage tombs with high concentrations of prehistoric rock art.
This digital documentation project was set up by Steve Davis at the University of Dublin and David Strange-Walker of Trent and Peak archaeology.
The aim of the project was to 3D record in great detail two of these monuments, Knowth and Dowth.
'The Fairy mound of darkness' the Neolithic passage tomb Douth
The 3D survey was conducted using convergence photogrammetry and two Leica laser scanners an HDS6200 and an HDS7000.
Combining theses technologies allowed for greater flexibility in the way we approached the different levels of detail required to record the rock art and the great mounds of the monuments
Combining theses technologies allowed for greater flexibility in the way we approached the different levels of detail required to record the rock art and the great mounds of the monuments
David and I discussing the position of survey targets for the next scanner setup.
Access to the main chambers of the tombs often involved very tight spaces and passageways. We had to carefully drag our lighting and equipment whilst crawling between the collapsed stones of the passage walls.
Access to the main chambers of the tombs often involved very tight spaces and passageways. We had to carefully drag our lighting and equipment whilst crawling between the collapsed stones of the passage walls.
Photograph by Ken Williams of Shadows and Stone.
Cross sections through the laser scan data for the passage tomb at Dowth
Photograph by Ken Williams of Shadows and Stone.
The laser scan data provides an excellent record of the structure of the passageway and the tomb chambers.
The ability to interact with this data in 3D allows for detailed examination and the creation of viewpoints not possible in reality.
The ability to interact with this data in 3D allows for detailed examination and the creation of viewpoints not possible in reality.
NEOLITHIC ART
The Great Passage Tombs of the Boyne Valley are famous for some of the finest Neolithic rock art to be found anywhere.
The secondary aim of this project was to digitise a selection of decorated stones, and examine them in 3D
The Great Passage Tombs of the Boyne Valley are famous for some of the finest Neolithic rock art to be found anywhere.
The secondary aim of this project was to digitise a selection of decorated stones, and examine them in 3D
In addition to laser scanning, convergence photogrammetry was utilised to record the fine details of the rock faces.
Sub-millimeter details of the ancient carvings were recorded using this technique.
Digital detail enhancing techniques were used to highlight the designs of the Neolithic artworks
Sub-millimeter details of the ancient carvings were recorded using this technique.
Digital detail enhancing techniques were used to highlight the designs of the Neolithic artworks
Untextured digital model
of a decorated stone at Knowth
of a decorated stone at Knowth
Textured digital model of a decorated stone at Knowth
Digitally enhanced 3D meshes amplify the details of the Neolithic carvings
