Documenting Historic Sites

Laser scanning is not an untested technology when it comes to the documentation of archaeological sites. There are currently dozens and dozens of preservation projects underway around world utilizing laser scanning technology to capture and store data. Organizations like the Center For Advance Spatial Technologies, CyARK and Universities from all over the world are working with lasers and 3D models to document and preserve historic structures and sites for future generations.

Here are just some of the historic preservation projects currently underway around the world:

CAST Projects
(Center For Advance Spatial Technologies)

Project: Laser scanning of Machu Picchu, Peru. A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Organization: Center For Advance Spatial Technologies w/University of California Los Angeles' Cotson Institute for Archaeology. "Computer Modeling of Heritage Resources Field Program" 

Project: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, Historic Civil War Site
Organization: Center For Advance Spatial Technologies- University
of Arkansas Honors College

Project: "Visualizing The Roman City: Ostia Antica"
Organization: Center For Advance Spatial Technologies w/ University
of Arkansas Honors College




CyARK Preservation Projects

Church of Sao Francisco

Church of Sao Francisco- Bahia Brazil, 1538
Mt. Rushmore- South Dakota
Medieval Bridge at Regensburg Germany
The Presidio of San Francisco
The Cathedral of Beauvais, Beauvais France
Ruins at Chichen Itza, Mexico
The Ramesseum at Ancient Thebes, Egypt
Deadwood, South Dakota
Temple at Angkor, Cambodia

The Ruins at Pompeii

Mesa Verde Ruins

Roman Baths, Weibenburg, Bavaria

Rapa Nui- Easter Island Monolith

Qal' at al-Bahrain- (14th Century Portuguese Fort)
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado...(in collaboration w/Texas Tech University, UC Berkeley and National Park Service)

Chichen Itza-
 Mayan Ruins

Chichen Laser Scan

These are just some of the historic preservation projects currently underway around the world that are utilizing laser scanning technology for documentation purposes. Given the number and the extent of the historic documentation projects listed above, what makes "Capturing History" such a unique project? What is History San Jose, NVentum LLC. and Evergreen Valley College doing that sets this project apart from all others?

Pasetta House
Laser Scan by Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC.

The Difference is BIM
Capturing History utilizes laser technology as the foundation of our project in the same manner as other documentation projects. Laser scanning provides fast accurate documentation for condition monitoring, preservation, clash detection and virtual reconstruction. However, this is just scratching the surface of what this technology can be used for. As mentioned in many of my previous post, one of the major objectives of this project is to create a BIM model of the historic buildings and the History Park' s 14 acre campus.

Blacksmith's Shed and Trolley Barn
Laser Scan by Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC

A complete BIM model of the HSJ campus and facilities will provide a shared platform for the day to day maintenance, management and operations of the museum.
Operations staff will use the 3D model for virtual expansion of the park grounds, to monitor mechanical systems, plan/install sustainable energy upgrades, conduct facility performance simulations, or to schedule maintenance and repairs.
Administrative staff will use the 3D model as a project calendar and to schedule events
Marketing staff will use the model as a sales tool, a data base and/or online exhibit.

Pasetta House
Scan by Ken Hanna

Safety/Security staff will use the 3D model to monitor the museum's assets, emergency planning, traffic control, fire inspection/permits, seismic monitoring/retrofits, etc.

The Capturing History project answers the question, "what now?... Now that I have this 3D model, what can I do with it?"

Pasetta House

Pasetta Porch/Entrance