From mounds to maps to models: Visualizing ancient architecture across landscapes

A novel GIS approach demonstrates how unexcavated mounds at the UNESCO-listed Maya site of Copán can be interpolated into 3D models, bridging gaps in landscape archaeology. By leveraging remote sensing data—including lidar, photogrammetry, and SAR—the study reveals small-scale architectural complexes and households, providing critical context for larger, known sites. This method enhances regional analyses by transforming static map data into dynamic visualizations, offering new insights into unexcavated landscapes without requiring excavation. The findings underscore the potential of 3D modeling to redefine our understanding of ancient Maya urban planning and settlement patterns.

Richards-Rissetto, H. (2013). From mounds to maps to models: Visualizing ancient architecture across landscapes. 2013 Digital Heritage International Congress (DigitalHeritage), 519–522. https://doi.org/10.1109/digitalheritage.2013.6744820