Page 77 - JCAU-6-1

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Virtual reconstruction of archaeological sites

accumulation in each area, a large-scale exploration was frequent rainfall and the soil’s tendency to dry quickly,
implemented in 2015 – 2018. A circular area, surrounded the entire LT is usually covered with thick black cloth,
by the Sanliqiao River, Longxi Harbor, Tiedianqiao River, rendering the whole scene less accessible to researchers.
and their respective tributaries, displays uniform high piles Despite prolonged protection by cloth, certain areas of the
of soil resembling the walls along the inner perimeter of LT, particularly those with lower terrain, have experienced
the river. This distinctive topographical feature is evident moisture absorption, resulting in soil drying out and
in satellite imagery dating back to the 1970s (Yan et al., cracking, as depicted in Figure 4. Therefore, virtual
2021). Figure 2 shows the extent of protection afforded to preservation becomes imperative for the safeguarding
the Pishan site and the configuration of circular drainage of original records and proves beneficial for public
during the 1970s. exhibition.
Located on the southwest side of Pishan, adjacent 2. Methods
to the Sanliqiao River, the Maquetian Spot underwent
excavation from 2017 to 2019, which revealed a range of 2.1. 3D surveying and mapping
architectural remnants dating to the Post-Maqiao Culture Digital twin technology necessitates 3D surveying and
(后马桥文化), which succeeded the Maqiao Cultural mapping, aiming to create a replica of a physical object in a
(马桥文化) period (3900 – 3200 before present), displaying virtual environment, completely surpassing the limitations
distinct and contrasting features (Yan et al., 2023). These of traditional 2D expressions in the plane. The primary
findings include various features such as building site- methods employed for 3D mapping are 3D laser scanning
based grooves, single grooves, rammed earth platforms, and photogrammetry.
and extensive stilt-style architectural sites.
3D laser scanning, also referred to as light detection and
The highest and largest rammed earth platform is an LT, ranging, is capable of recording distance measurements
as depicted in Figure 3, featuring a high-platform building. between the object and the scanner, generating a high-
The LT measures about 70.5 m in length and nearly accuracy point cloud (Alshawabkeh et al., 2020).
30 m in width, covering an area of about 2000 sqm. The Depending on the carriers, 3D laser scanning can be
thickest accumulation point reaches 4 m, while the highest divided into satellite-based, airborne-based, and ground-
elevation at the top point reaches 7 m. based systems. The selection of these systems is contingent
At present, approximately 4/5 of the LT is sheltered on the types and scale of the objects being digitalized,
by a steel structure shed, while the remaining 1/5, left particularly suited for the digital preservation of built
exposed, is covered with black cloth. However, due to heritage.

A B

Figure 2. Satellite imagery of the Pishan site. (A) The extent of the conservation zone. (B) Circular drainage in the 1970s. Source: Drawings by the authors
(satellite imagery from https://www.tianditu.gov.cn/)

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1735