ARCHEOLOGICAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY WITH SMALL FORMAT CAMERAS : THE SURVEY OF 
THE FORUM VETUS IN SARMIZEGETUSA (ROMANIA) 
Pierre GRUSSENMEYER and Franck PERDRIZET 
Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts et Industries de STRASBOURG, FRANCE 
Department of Surveying 
24, Boulevard de la Victoire 67084 STRASBOURG Cedex 
Commission V, Working Group 4 : Photogrammetry in Architecture and Archeology 
KEYS WORDS : Archeology, planning, calibration, analytical, close range, small format, Orient, low cost systems. 
ABSTRACT 
This article deals with instrument and methods specially developed by the authors for mapping a roman forum in 
Sarmizegetusa (Romania). 
The data capture system consists of an automatic standard format camera, and an easy-to-carry adjustable support 
allowing a maximum height of 6 metres shooting. 
The use of 24mm x 36mm photographs meets low costs and map accuracy constraints in archeology. 
The map of the forum was worked out through mono and stereoplotting combined with topographic data processing. 
RESUME 
L'article présente un instrument et des procédés photogrammétriques originaux qui ont été mis au point par les 
auteurs pour la réalisation du plan d'un forum romain à Sarmizegetusa (Roumanie). 
Le systéme de prise de vues est constitué d'un appareil photographique motorisé de format standard et d'une potence 
réglable en hauteur (6m. maximum) facilement transportable. 
L'utilisation de clichés au format 24mm x 36mm satisfait l'économie d'un levé archéologique, tout en respectant ses 
contraintes de précision. 
Le plan du forum a été établi à partir du traitement des données topographiques combiné aux opérations de 
redressement photographique et de stéréorestitution analytique. 
INTRODUCTION 
The ENS.AIS. Laboratory of Photogrammetry in 
Strasbourg managed by Pierre Grussenmeyer, and 
Franck Perdrizet, researcher in geomatics and surveying 
techniques in Montpellier, are used to carrying out 
studies in the scope of archeology and architectural 
heritage. 
Sarmizegetusa (Romania) was the ancient capital of the 
roman province of Dacia founded by Emperor Trajan. 
Nowadays the modern village is located near and on the 
ruins which are scattered over a large area. The site 
includes some major monuments : amphitheater, two 
forums, including the ancient one called forum vetus 
(fig.1) by archeologists. 
With a 1/100 scale allowing a full plot on a:1m? sheet, it 
was decided to survey accurately the stonework of the 
structures which had crumbled down, in order to help the 
specialists in architectural reconstruction. 
Photogrammetry soon appeared to be the only way to 
see the numerous and irregular shapes ; nevertheless, 
the features of the forum would also be surveyed through 
angles and distances. 
  
Fig.1 : view of the forum vetus 
200 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B5. Vienna 1996 
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