Carved in stone: Field trials of Virtual Reflectance Transformation Imaging (V-RTI) in Classical Telmessos (Fethiye), SW Turkey


Greaves, AM ORCID: 0000-0002-8004-4702, Duffy, Sarah, Peterson, john robert ORCID: 0000-0002-5672-2630, Tekoglu, Recai and Hirt, Alfred ORCID: 0000-0003-3025-8515 (2020) Carved in stone: Field trials of Virtual Reflectance Transformation Imaging (V-RTI) in Classical Telmessos (Fethiye), SW Turkey Journal of Field Archaeology, 45 (7). pp. 542-555. ISSN 0093-4690, 2042-4582

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Abstract

Virtual Reflectance Transformation Imaging (V-RTI) is a hybrid method that combines 3D, Virtual Reality (VR) and 2D+ technologies into a rapid, lightweight, and user-friendly method of recording archaeological monuments in the field. The resultant image file can be interactively lit from various positions to highlight surface texture and detail not generally visible to the naked eye. In this article, we describe the V-RTI method and critically compare it to the current standard Highlight (H-RTI) method. We present results of a field trial of V-RTI in a challenging urban environment that yielded a new inscription, new readings, and epigraphic palimpsests that significantly change our understanding of the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos. We conclude that V-RTI is a valuable new tool for recording at-risk heritage worldwide and should be considered a default recording tool for field survey and conservation for many different classes of field monument.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Turkey, epigraphy, archaeology, conservation, digital heritage, Structure from Motion, Virtual Reality
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 18 May 2020 10:02
Last Modified: 01 Mar 2026 10:29
DOI: 10.1080/00934690.2020.1804135
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3087505
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