The ceramic finds from Guadalupe, Honduras: Optimizing archaeological documentation with a combination of digital and analog techniques

Abstract

Archaeological projects are often faced with processing unwieldy amounts of ceramic material on-site. This documentation and analysis has traditionally required hand drawing of diagnostic sherds and vessels, which is extremely time-consuming, especially when faced with complex forms. The Guadalupe Archaeological Project operates in northeast Honduras with the aim of characterizing the local culture of the Cocal period (AD 1000–1525). During investigations, the project systematically compared the benefits of traditional hand drawing techniques with more modern approaches, such as 3D modelling and 3D data processing, in order to develop an effective workflow for on-site documentation. Using a combination of structured light scanning, traditional drawing, and the automated generation of profile drawings in the 3D software GigaMesh, we were able to streamline our work by applying the appropriate technique on a case by case basis.