Uav lidar mapping in the historic sanctuary of machupicchu: Challenges and preliminary results: Part 1

Ćmielewski B.; Sieczkowska D.; Kościuk J.; Bastante J.M.; Wilczyńska I. · Wiadomosci Konserwatorskie (2021) · DOI: 10.48234/wk67lidar

Resumen

Besides the well-recognized central part, the National Archaeological Park of Machupicchu encompasses ap-proximately 60 lesser-known sites. Chachabamba and Inkaraqay are two examples. When using traditional field prospection on steep slopes covered by rainfor-est, it is challenging to detect traces of anthropogenic structures. A method that could help is the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) survey from aeroplanes or helicopters. The authors propose an alternative method using a self-developed LiDAR system mounted on a drone platform able to detect even relicts of walls less than one meter high. This approach’s main advantag-es are the speed and flexibility of prospection, high-resolution 3D point clouds and the ability to penetrate the rainforest. The authors discuss methods of data ac-cumulation, filtration, classification and different visualization algorithms pointing to challenges related to UAV LiDAR use. The second part of this article will present the preliminary results for the LiDAR survey over Chachabamba and Inkaraqay sites and the first validation of the results.