Documenting and Visualizing Heritage in Conflict Zones: The Underground Water Channel in Tel Gezer
摘要
In regions of conflict, heritage sites often face threats of destruction, making documentation and visualization crucial for their conservation and dissemination. Traditional documentation methods encounter difficulties in accurately capturing and portraying significant archeological features, such as the amorphous shape of the water channel. This study examines the utilization of digital documentation techniques in showcasing and preserving cultural heritage sites in conflict zones, focusing on an Iron Age underground water channel at Tel Gezer in Israel. By utilizing laser scanning technology, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of digital documentation in creating architectural drawings and visualization models. A detailed point cloud generated from laser scanning offers a comprehensive digital record of the water channel's intricate features. From this dataset, architectural drawings were derived, enabling precise analysis and interpretation by experts in the field. Additionally, advanced visualization techniques were employed to create a three-dimensional model, making the site’s complexity and history accessible and immersive for a global audience. This research addresses the challenges posed by the unique morphology of the underground water channel and underscores the importance of technology in bridging the gap between archeological research, heritage preservation, and public engagement, particularly in areas that are difficult to access and affected by conflict.