The Use of 3D Models for Intra-Site Investigation in Archaeology

In recent decades, the development of technology that aids in documenting, analysing and communicating information regarding archaeological sites has affected the way that historical information is transmitted and perceived by the community.
Digital technologies have affected archaeology at all levels; for example, novel investigation methods have highlighted new and unknown aspects of archaeological research. The constant development of friendly user-interfaces has encouraged the diffusion of and experimentation with different approaches.
This article discusses how the use of three-dimensional models has changed our perception of field practices in archaeology. Specifically, this paper presents several experiments in which three-dimensional replicas of archaeological contexts were processed and used to document and monitor the short lifetime of on-going archaeological excavations. These case studies demonstrate how the use of digital technologies during field activities allows archaeological researchers to time-travel through their work to revisit contexts and material that had been previously removed during the investigation process.