Bridging the Past and Present: How Photogrammetry Revives Old Excavation Data

Over the past three decades, site documentation has seen a significant shift from analogue methods to digital tools. Archaeological sites now rely heavily on high-precision digital recordings, making it easier to combine, compare, and analyze data. However, sites with a mix of both analogue and digital data face challenges in achieving full data interoperability. Blombos Cave in South Africa, for instance, has a rich archaeological history spanning over 100, 000 years, with multiple excavation campaigns since 1991. The site's documentation varies greatly, making it difficult to integrate into a single, coherent archive. In this research, we explore how changes in excavation protocols at Blombos Cave have impacted data collection and integration. We use digital photogrammetry and archival photographs to map different excavation stages within a three-dimensional framework, showcasing the benefits of merging old and new data. This approach, proven through case studies, offers complete mapping and more dynamic visualizations. The methods used at Blombos Cave can be applied to various other sites with long-running excavations, helping to bridge the gap between analogue and digital data.