title: Virtual taphonomy: A new method integrating excavation and postprocessing in an archaeological context.
abstract: The objective of this paper was to integrate excavation and post-processing of archaeological and osteological contexts and material to enhance the interpretation of these with specific focus on the taphonomical aspects. A method was designed, Virtual Taphonomy, based on the use and integration of image-based 3D modeling techniques into a 3D GIS platform, and tested on a case study. Merging the 3D models and a database directly in the same virtual environment allowed the authors to fully integrate excavation and post-processing in a complex spatial analysis reconnecting contexts excavated on different occasions in the field process. The case study further demonstrated that the method enabled a deeper understanding of the taphonomic agents at work and allowed the construction of a more detailed interpretation of the skeletal remains than possible with more traditional methods. The method also proved to add transparency to the entire research process from field to post-processing and interpretation. Other benefits were the timesaving aspects in documentation, not only in the excavation process but also in post-processing without creating additional costs in material, as the equipment used is available in most archaeological excavations. The authors conclude that this methodology could be employed on a variety of investigations from archaeological to forensic contexts and add significant value in many different respects (for example, detail, objectivity, complexity, time-efficiency) compared to methods currently used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilhelmson
authors.affiliation: Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Nicoló
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dell'Unto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D002048:Burial; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013548:Sweden; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 3D GIS; 3D models; burial; image-based 3D modeling; osteology