Terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry techniques for documenting fossil‐bearing palaeokarst with an example from the Drimolen Palaeocave System, South Africa

A groundbreaking method combining terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry has been successfully employed to create highly accurate 3D models of the Drimolen Makondo palaeontological deposits, a critical fossil-bearing palaeokarst site within South Africa's UNESCO World Heritage Hominid Sites. This innovative approach allows for detailed recording and archival documentation of complex palaeocave systems, integrating seamlessly with total station survey techniques to accurately control excavations and visualize stratigraphic contexts. The study demonstrates that low-cost, time-efficient digital photographic surveys can produce precise 3D models, offering a cost-effective alternative to specialized equipment in remote locations. This method not only enhances the contextualization of excavation data but also supports the recording of sites as part of an evolving landscape, providing a robust solution for preserving and analyzing irreplaceable UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Armstrong, B. J., Blackwood, A. F., Penzo‐Kajewski, P., Menter, C. G., & Herries, A. I. R. (2017). Terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry techniques for documenting fossil‐bearing palaeokarst with an example from the Drimolen Palaeocave System, South Africa. Archaeological Prospection, 25(1), 45–58. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1580