Structured-Light Scanning for 3D Digital Documentation of Cultural Heritage: An Applied Methodological Study on Archaeological Ship Timbers

Year 2025, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 140 - 161, 26.11.2025

Çisil Şanlıgençler Öcalır Işıl Kocabaş

https://doi.org/10.26650/JTADP.993

https://izlik.org/JA63RY27WE

Abstract

Archaeological ships, with their hydrodynamic forms, construction techniques, spatial arrangements, material use, and aesthetic details, reflect not only the maritime culture and technology but also the architectural principles of naval design in their respective periods. For this reason, the documentation and preservation of shipwrecks fall within the common field of interest of both nautical archaeology and architectural conservation disciplines. This study evaluates the potential of the structured-light scanning (SLS) method in the three-dimensional documentation and modelling of archaeological ship timbers. The research was carried out on the Yenikapı shipwrecks of Istanbul University; wooden ship components were scanned with a structured-light scanner, and the device’s operating parameters and data processing procedure were analysed. The results demonstrate that SLS is an innovative method that allows the acquisition of highly accurate, rapid, and non-contact data, offering a practical and readily applicable approach. The method is particularly suitable for cultural heritage studies such as the documentation and modelling of small- and medium-scale artefacts, the recording of museum collections and conservation applications. In this context, the article aims to serve as a reference for future similar studies and to provide guidance to researchers who wish to apply the method.

Keywords

Archaeological ships , Cultural heritage , Digital documentation , Structured-light scanning , Yenikapı shipwrecks

References

• Alptekin, A., Çelik, M. Ö., & Yakar, M. (2019). Anıtmezarın yersel lazer tarayıcı kullanarak 3B modellenmesi. Türkiye LiDAR Dergisi, 18(1), 1– 4. 4.2 google scholar
• Auer, J. (2021). Two ships under rocks: A glimpse into rural shipbuilding in Western Pomerania. Archaeonautica, 21, 219–224. google scholar
• Auer, J. (2023). The 3D annotated scans method revisited: Recent experiences with the mass documentation of wet-stored timbers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Paper presented at the Society for Historical Archaeology, Lisbon, Portugal. google scholar
• Bischoff, V. (2020). Rekonstruktion af Osebergskibet: Form, konstruktion og funktion. KADK. google scholar
• Bischoff, V. (2023). Ships and boats of the North 9: The Oseberg ship, reconstruction of form and function. The Viking Ship Museum. google scholar
• Cooper, J. P., Wetherelt, A., Zazzaro, C. and Eyre, M. (2018). From boatyard to museum: 3D laser scanning and digital modelling of the Qatar Museums watercraft collection, Doha, Qatar. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 47(2), 419–442. google scholar
• Costa, E., & Beltrame, C. (2021). The 5th-century AD riverine boat of Santa Maria in Padovetere: 3D reconstruction of its shape and context. Archaeonautica, 21, 303–308. google scholar
• Costa, E., Balletti, C., Beltrame, C., Guerra, F. and Vernier, P. (2016). Digital survey techniques for the documentation of wooden shipwrecks International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLI-B5, 237–242. google scholar
• Creaform. (2021, March 30). 3D scanning and sailing heritage: Restoring two shipwrecks in Croatia. Creaform Bulletin Heritage Preservation. https://www.creaform3d.com/blog/3d-scanningand-sailing-heritage-restoring-two-shipwrecks-in-croatia google scholar
• Creaform. (2020). Peel 3d user manual. https://www.scribd.com/document/655461183/peel-3d-User-Manual-EN google scholar
• Crumlin-Pedersen, O. (2002). Description and analysis of the ships as found. In O. Crumlin-Pedersen & O. Olsen (Eds.), The Skuldelev ships I (pp. 49–68). The Viking Ship Museum. google scholar
• Deniz, S., Öktem, S., Kırbaş, İ., & Tarkan, D. (2017). Alansal/yersel lazer tarayıcıların arkeolojik mekânların fiziki özelliklerinin tespitinde kullanılması: Kibyra antik kenti odeon yapısı sahne duvarı örneği. Mehmet Akif Ersoy Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 8, 211–217. google scholar
• Diara, F. (2023). Structured-light scanning and metrological analysis for archaeology: Quality assessment of Artec 3D solutions for cuneiform tablets. Heritage, 6, 6016–6034. google scholar
• Ditta, M., & Auer, J. (2021). The “Big Ship” of Wismar: A well-preserved 12th-century cargo vessel from the harbour of Wismar. Archaeo-nautica, 21, 193–197. google scholar
• Ditta, M., & Auer, J. (2023). The Wismar ship: The construction of a large clinker-built merchant vessel from the 12th-century AD. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 52(2), 287–316. google scholar
• Dostal, C. M. (2017). Laser scanning as a methodology for the 3-D digitization of archaeological ship timbers: A case study using the World Trade Centre shipwreck [Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University]. Texas A&M University google scholar
• Döş, M. E., & Yiğit, A. Y. (2022). Tarihi minberlerin fotogrametri yöntemi ile belgelenmesi. Türkiye Fotogrametri Dergisi, 4(2), 58–65. google scholar
• Eiríksson, E. R., Wilm, J., Pedersen, D. B., & Aanæs, H. (2016). Precision and accuracy parameters in the structured light 3-D scanning. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XL-5/W8, 7–15. google scholar
• Færch-Jensen, J. (2019). 3D scanning af skibstømmer: Teknologisk avancement i rumlig registrering. Arkæologisk Forum, 41, 25–32. google scholar
• Færch-Jensen, J., & Daly, A. (2024). Køge 2: A clinker-built shipwreck from the medieval harbour of Køge, Zealand, Denmark. Acta Archaeologica, 94(1), 97–131. google scholar
• Fiedler, K. (2016). Large clinker-built cargo vessels from the late medieval period in Northern and Western Europe: The Mönchgut 92 wreck in context [Unpublished master’s thesis]. University of Southern Denmark google scholar
• Freeman Gebler, O., Goudswaard, M., Hicks, B., Jones, D., Nassehi, A., Snider, C., & Yon, J. (2021). A comparison of structured light scanning and photogrammetry for the digitisation of physical prototypes. Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 11–20. google scholar
• Gardzińska, A. (2021). Application of terrestrial laser scanning for the inventory of historical Buildings on the example of measuring the elevations of the buildings in the Old Market Square in Jarosław. Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports, 31(2), 293–309. google scholar
• Girelli, V. A., Tini, M. A., Dellapasqua, M., & Bitelli, G. (2019). High resolution 3D acquisition and modelling in cultural heritage knowledge and restoration projects: The survey of the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W11, 573–578. google scholar
• Hocker, F. M. (2003). Documentation of the form and structure of the hull. In O. Crumlin-Pedersen & A. Trakadas (Eds.), Ships and boats of the North 5: Hjortspring, a pre-Roman Iron-Age warship in context (pp. 84–92). Viking Ship Museum. google scholar
• Jones, T. (2015). Three-dimensional digital recording and modelling methodologies for documentation and reconstruction of the Newport Medieval Ship (Doctoral dissertation). University of Wales Trinity Saint David. google scholar
• Jones, T., Nayling, N., & Tanner, P. (2013). Digitally reconstructing the Newport Medieval Ship: 3D designs and dynamic visualisations for recreating the original hull form, loading factors, displacement, and sailing characteristics. In C. Breen & W. Forsythe (Eds.), Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology Proceedings (pp. 123–130). Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology. google scholar
• Kaçarlar, Z. (2023). Küçük objelerin üç boyutlu (3B) modellenmesinde kullanılan teknikler. Türkiye LIDAR Dergisi, 5(1), 8–16. google scholar
• Kaiser, J., & Dedic, M. (2024). Influence of material on the density of a point cloud created using a structured-light 3D scanner. Applied Sciences, 14(1476). google scholar
• Karagianni, A. (2021). Terrestrial laser scanning and satellite data in cultural heritage building documentation. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLVI-M-1-2021, 361–366. google scholar
• Kılıç, N. & Kılıç, G. (2019). Physical properties for the characterization of waterlogged archaeological woods of eight Yenikapı shipwrecks from Byzantine period. Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 19(2), 133–148. google scholar
• Kızıltan, Z. (2010). Marmaray-Metro projeleri kapsamında yapılan Yenikapı, Sirkeci ve Üsküdar kazıları. In U. Kocabaş (Ed.), 1. Marmaray– Metro kurtarma kazıları sempozyumu bildiriler kitabı (pp. 5–6). Istanbul Archeology Museums Press. google scholar
• Kocabaş, U. (2015). The Yenikapı Byzantine-era shipwrecks, Istanbul, Turkey: A preliminary report and inventory of the 27 wrecks studied by Istanbul University. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 44(1), 1–35. google scholar
• Kocabaş, U., Kılıç, N., & Asal, R. (2020). Keeping the past alive: the Yenikapı shipwrecks. TINA Maritime Archaeology Periodical, 14, 14–55. google scholar
• Kocabaş, U., & Özsait-Kocabaş, I. (2021). Hull characteristics of the Yenikapı 16 galley. In Archaeonautica 21: Open sea, closed sea. Local traditions and inter-regional traditions in shipbuilding. Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Symposium on Boat and Ship Archaeology, Marseilles 2018 (pp. 79–82). CNRS Éditions. google scholar
• Kocabaş, U., & Özsait-Kocabaş, I. (2023). Comparative analysis of lifting from on-site and conservation of the Yenikapı shipwrecks. Heritage, 6(4), 1871–1890. google scholar
• Liu, J., Willkens, D., & Gentry, R. (2025). Developing a practice-based guide to terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) for heritage documentation. Heritage, 8(2), 313. google scholar
• Llabani, A., & Abazaj, F. (2024). 3D documentation of cultural heritage using terrestrial laser scanning. Journal of Applied Engineering Science, 22(2), 267–271. google scholar
• Lipowiecki, I., Rządkowski, W., Zapał, W., & Kowalik, M. (2023). Combining the technology of long-range laser 3D scanners and structured light handheld 3D scanners to digitize large-sized objects. Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal, 17(3), 196–205. google scholar
• Masciotta, M. G., Sanchez-Aparicio, L. J., Oliveira, D. V., & Gonzalez-Aguilera, D. (2023). Integration of laser scanning technologies and 360º photography for the digital documentation and management of cultural heritage buildings. International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 17(1), 56–75. google scholar
• Merella, M., Farina, S., Scaglia, P., Caneve, G., Bernardini, G., Pieri, A., Collareta, A., & Bianucci, G. (2023). Structured-light 3D scanning as a tool for creating a digital collection of modern and fossil cetacean skeletons (Natural History Museum, University of Pisa). Heritage, 6(10), 6762–6776. google scholar
• Ossowski, W., Grabowski, M., & Borkowski, W. (2019). Shipwreck from Czersk of the large Vistula River vessel from medieval times. In B. Kontny, A. Chołuj, M. Mileszczyk, & M. Nowakowska (Eds.), Światowit Supplement Series U: Underwater Archaeology. Archaeology: Just Add Water Vol. 2: Underwater Research at the University of Warsaw (pp. 189–204). University of Warsaw. google scholar
• Özendi, M. (2022). Kültür varlıklarının yersel lazer tarama yöntemi ile dijital dokümantasyonu: Zonguldak Uzun Mehmet Anıtı örneği. Geomatik Dergisi, 7(2), 139–148. google scholar
• Özsait-Kocabaş, I. (2012). Belgeleme: Ahşabı okumak. In U. Kocabaş (Ed.), Yenikapı Batıkları Cilt 1: Yenikapı’nın eski gemileri (pp. 37–72). Ege Yayınları. google scholar
• Özsait-Kocabaş, I. (2022). Yenikapı 12—An early medieval merchantman I: Excavation, documentation, construction and technology. Ege Yayınları. google scholar
• Özsait-Kocabaş, I. (2024). Gemi ve tekne arkeolojisinde belgeleme: Yapısal analiz ve rekonstrüksiyon. Ege Yayınları. google scholar Paasche, K. (2020). The Tune Viking Ship reconsidered. International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 49(1), 29–48. google scholar
• Papas, N., Tsongas, K., Karolidis, D., & Tzetzis, D. (2021). A comparison of laser and structured light scanning technologies for archaeological applications. International Journal of Modern Manufacturing Technologies, XIII(3), 111–116. google scholar
• Pehlivan, G. F., Baldıran, A., & Pehlivan, E. (2022). A comparison of different techniques in cultural heritage documentation: Lasos Bouleuterion example. GRID Architecture, Planning and Design Journal, 5(1), 76–94. google scholar
• Petersen, A. H., & Strætkvern, K. (2020). Standing on the shoulders of our predecessors – A base and a viewpoint: Fifty years of working with conservation of waterlogged archaeological shipwrecks in Denmark. TINA Denizcilik Arkeolojisi Dergisi, 13, 46–68. google scholar
• Ravn, M. (2012). Recent advances in post-excavation documentation: Roskilde method. In N. Günsenin (Ed.), Between continents: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Symposium on Boat and Ship Archaeology (pp. 313–317). Ege Yayınları. google scholar
• Steffy, J. R. (1994). Wooden ship building and the interpretation of shipwrecks Texas A&M University Press. google scholar
• Stelzner, I., Stelzner, J., Martinez Garcia, J., Gwerder, D., Wittköpper, M., Muskalla, W., Cramer, A., Heinz, G., Egg, M., & Schuetz, P. (2023). Evaluation of conservation methods for archaeological wet wood with structured light 3D scanning and μ-CT. In Proceedings of the 15th ICOM-CC Group on Wet Organic Archaeological Materials Conference (pp. 96–105). ICOM-CC. google scholar
• Tanner, P., & Belasus, M. (2021). The Bremen Cog: Reconstructed one more time. Archaeonautica, 21, 315–324. google scholar
• Tuncer, S., & Avdan, U. (2024). Comparative analysis of non-invasive measurement methods for optimizing architectural documentation. google scholar International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 9(2), 302–313. google scholar
• Türkmenoğlu, E. (2023). Arkeolojik gemi elemanlarının dijital tekniklerle belgelenmesi: Yenikapı 19 Batığı uygulaması. Ege Yayınları. google scholar
• Türkmenoğlu, E. (2024). The contribution of digital recording in the research, conservation and display of archaeological ships. In Current approaches, solutions and practices in conservation of cultural heritage (pp. 459–470). Istanbul University Press. google scholar
• Van Damme, T., Auer, J., Ditta, M., Grabowski, M., & Couwenberg, M. (2020). The 3D annotated scans method: A new approach to ship timber recording. Heritage Science, 8(75), 1–18. google scholar
• van Damme, T., Ditta, M., & Auer, J. (2021). Mass documentation of archaeological ship timbers: Introducing a novel, time-efficient approach. Archaeonautica, 21, 331–336. google scholar
• Williams, R., Thompson, T., Orr, C., & Taylor, G. (2024). Developing a 3D strategy: Pipelines and recommendations for 3D structured light scanning of archaeological artefacts. Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 33, e00338. google scholar