SEMINAR: Virtual diving: analysis of the archaeological value in image-based three-dimensional digital reconstructions of underwater shipwreck sites in Western Australia

This study proposes to contribute to techniques and methods for recording underwater archaeological sites by testing and refining a methodology for accurate and affordable image-based 3D modelling of shipwrecks in Western Australia (WA). Ultimately, providing a detailed, accurate and informative digital representation of a site for archaeological interpretation and dissemination of information to peers and public. Until recently, acquiring photographs of an underwater site and processing them into a 3D reconstruction was time consuming and required specialist skills. Advances in algorithms for computer science and machine vision now allow raw images to be quickly processed and 3D reconstructions automatically derived. Both legacy data (data previously collected) and new data (collected during this research) will form the basis for the project. Photographic recording of underwater sites and the application of modern 3D reconstruction software will fulfil essential archaeological requirements of recording a site quickly and accurately, potentially becoming a primary tool for underwater archaeological recording.