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3. PROCESSES OF HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION 
Monument documentation has been undertaken in a variety of 
ways for centuries, although a formalised approach to 
documentation has only been around for a few hundred years. 
The Romans copied much of the Greek architecture, a different 
approach to documentation, and one that is not feasible these 
days. Before the invention of photography, monument 
recording was a manual task undertaken by architects, ' 
surveyors and engineers, specialists at measurement. Even after 
the development of photogrammetry, the ‘formal’ task of 
recording was still a specialist task. With recent developments 
is it now possible to treat practically any photograph as a metric 
record, using point or line based solutions to the extraction of 
meaningful 3d data from un-calibrated single or multiple 
photographs. 
The tools presently available include laser scanning, digital 
photogrammetry from single, stereo-pairs and multiple images 
from almost any still or video camera, hand held infra-red 
distance meters, and even measuring tapes. These data can be 
stored digitally in the field on a variety of devices, or drawn by 
hand. The processed results can be stored and transferred 
digitally, referenced in data bases, augmented with metadata, or 
stored in drawers and cupboards. 
What could add to this process, make the task easier and more 
efficient? 
4. SOME FUTURE TECHNICAL SCENARIA 
The task of documenting the various aspects of cultural heritage 
will become increasingly dependent on technology, although 
the technology may be presented as simple, affordable and 
‘non-technical’. The technology will be designed to enhance 
the documentation process, not replace the hands-on experience 
but shift the emphasis from just documentation to 
understanding. 
41 The Ridjidigital DocumaticO 
Presenting the metric solution to the task of monument 
recording — the Ridgidigital Documatic®. This portable device 
has the following features: 
*  Multi-resolution terra-pixel imaging system 
* Laser and/or radar scanner 
* Terrestrial wireless and satellite network connection, 
always on and very fast 
e GPS and terrestrial position systems 
* [Inertial sensors 
* Image understanding 
* Voice control 
* Limitless storage (when on-board storage is full data 
is transmitted) 
* Instantaneous derivation of features, 3d data and 3d 
models using Al 
* Continual updating of record with successive 
photographs 
® Realtime links to data bases 
International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol XXXV, Part B5. Istanbul 2004 
  
Fig 1: The device of the future for heritage measurement 
Imagine a camera sensor where the resolution of the sensor 
changed depending on the circumstances as required, making 
decisions on which part of the scene needed what resolution? 
As the photograph is taken, the scene is also laser scanned with 
either infra-red light or radar as the case may be, co-registered 
with-the image and geo-coded based on GPS and inertial 
sensors. The camera then makes a 3d model and overlaps this 
onto the image, giving feedback to the operator. As more 
images are acquired the model is updated, with surface 
materials being extracted and infilled from alternate camera 
positions. The data can be stored, and also transmitted to a 
central server reducing the need for storage space on the device. 
If requested, the camera also generates metadata as a result of 
scene analysis, turning pixels into Doric Columns or timber 
panelling using Al and accessing a variety of wireless 
networked data bases. The device also records audio and video 
descriptions, as well as interviews with stakeholders, and tags 
this with meta data regarding the people involved. 
The technology exists presently to produce such a device. The 
expected developments in processor speed, network access and 
band width make the realisation of such a concept a production 
reality. 
5. CONCLUSIONS 
The main theme of this paper has been to review the 
developments over the last few decades and to use this as a 
basis to predict some future scenario. It is evident that the 
technology required to expedite the documentation process is 
going to exist. 
Technology is however only one part of the documentation and 
recording process, which in itself is only one part of cultural 
heritage preservation. What will change the entire process of 
preserving the aspects of culture that are deemed important will 
be the political and fiscal environment of the future. 
Governments, aid bodies, money lending institutions will need 
to factor the preservation of cultural heritage into each and 
every action. Lesser developed nations will continue to raise 
the standard of living of their population through copying the 
rich nations; by facilitating development, by generating more 
electricity, by construction. Even developed nations will seek 
to keep their advantage.