Image-based 3D modeling of the Erechteion, Acropolis of Athens

Abstract

In this contribution, we report on the image-based modeling (IBM) results of the Erechtheion monument, located inside the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. The work is part of the project “Development of Geographic Information Systems at the Acropolis of Athens“. An aim of the project is the 3D documentation of the whole Acropolis, one of the major archaeological sites world-wideincluded in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The largest part of the monument was digitised with laser scanning, while the main objective of IBM was to model difficult-to- access areas not covered by the scanner but also for comparison with laser scanning for scientific investigations. For the 3D modeling, as the Erechtheion contains some typical architectural elements (like columns, flat walls, etc), some manual measurements were necessary. On the other hand, for some detailed areas automated approaches for densesurface reconstructions are applied. For these parts we compared the image matching results with the surfaces coming from a laser scanner.