Monitoring of Underwater Archaeological Sites with the Use of 3D Photogrammetry and Legacy Data Case Study: HMS Maori (Malta)
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Monitoring of Underwater Archaeological Sites with the use of 3D Photogrammetry and Legacy Data Case study: HMS Maori (Malta) By Djordje Cvetkovic Monitoring of Underwater Archaeological Sites with the use of 3D Photogrammetry and Legacy Data Case study: HMS Maori (Malta) Author: Djordje Cvetkovic Supervisors: Dr Timmy Gambin Dr Kotaro Yamafune Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Global Maritime Archaeology Word Count: 25,499 words Department of Classics and Archaeology University of Malta March, 2020 Abstract A photogrammetric survey has proven to be a reliable method for documenting underwater archaeological sites. Still, the potential which photogrammetry could have in the monitoring of underwater cultural heritage has been just briefly discussed in the past. The purpose of this dissertation is to test if a cost-effective and time-efficient monitoring scheme can be created, for a modern shipwreck site such as HMS Maori, by using photogrammetry and legacy data. The credibility of legacy data (old video footage) was explored, alongside software capable of producing deviation analysis (Cloud Compare). Some of the key findings of this research confirmed that it is possible to geo-reference and extract information from legacy data 3D models by using the method of ‘common points’ (PhotoScan/Metashape). Also, a comparative study confirmed that deviation analysis could generate quantitative data of an underwater archaeological site. This research demonstrated that a reliable monitoring scheme could be constructed with the help of legacy data and deviation analysis. The application of this methodology provided a better understanding of the change that is continuously happening at the shipwreck site of HMS Maori. A possibility to track site formation processes gives a chance for creating a proper management plan. Ultimately, this dissertation recommends various actions to be undertaken in the forthcoming period, such as: the On-site Conservation Survey, monitoring of the site and its further degradation (Citizen Science) and others. Keywords Photogrammetry; Legacy data; Monitoring; HMS Maori; Site formation process; Deviation Analysis; Underwater Cultural Heritage; Cloud Compare; PhotoScan/Metashape; Citizen Science; ii Acknowledgements I want to thank Prof. Timmy Gambin, who generously shared his views and knowledge with my classmates and me, and for equipping us with a valuable set of skills that will help our future careers as maritime archaeologists. His guidelines made a significant contribution to the quality of this dissertation. I also want to give my gratitude to my co- supervisor Dr Kotaro Yamafune, who allowed me to assist him and to learn more about photogrammetry. Without his help, I would not have been able to conduct this research in the manner it was represented in this dissertation. I also want to share my unconditional gratitude which I feel towards my family members and friends. The support I received from all of them was immeasurable. Finally, for my parents, thank you for believing in me and encouraging me to follow my instinct. iii Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ ix I. Introduction....................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Scope, Aims and Objectives ................................................................................... 2 1.2 Literature Review.................................................................................................... 2 II. Historical Background ..................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Tribal-Class Destroyers .......................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Design and Armament ................................................................................. 11 2.2 HMS Maori ........................................................................................................... 12 2.2.1 War Service .................................................................................................. 13 2.2.2 Sinking ......................................................................................................... 19 III. HMS Maori Today .......................................................................................................... 20 3.1 Dive Site................................................................................................................ 20 3.1.1 Environmental Conditions ........................................................................... 21 3.2 Significance Assessment ....................................................................................... 23 3.2.1 Research Value ............................................................................................ 23 3.2.2 Social and Economic Value ......................................................................... 23 3.3 Photogrammetry Based Site Monitoring .............................................................. 24 IV. Methodology .................................................................................................................... 26 4.1 About Underwater Photogrammetry .................................................................... 26 4.2 Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 27 4.2.1 Photogrammetric Survey ............................................................................. 27 4.2.2 Legacy Data Survey ..................................................................................... 31 4.2.3 Challenges .................................................................................................... 32 4.3 Data Processing ..................................................................................................... 33 4.3.1 Photogrammetric Data Processing ............................................................... 33 4.3.2 Legacy Data Processing ............................................................................. 39 4.3.3 Challenges .................................................................................................... 50 4.4 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 51 iv V. Analysis: a Comparative Study ..................................................................................... 52 5.1 Point-Based Deviation Analysis ........................................................................... 53 5.2 Cloud Compare ..................................................................................................... 54 5.3 Results and Interpretation ..................................................................................... 57 5.3.1 The Wreck-Site of HMS Maori.................................................................... 57 5.3.2 Closing Observations .................................................................................. 67 VI. General Discussion ........................................................................................................ 69 6.1 Final Assessment .................................................................................................. 69 6.2 Future Recommendations ..................................................................................... 71 6.3 Dissemination and Promotion ............................................................................... 74 VII. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 75 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................. 77 Appendix A - YouTube Sources ............................................................................................... 86 Appendix B - Unsuccessful Legacy Data 3D Models .............................................................. 87 v List of Figures Figure 1. HMCS Haida (RCN), the last Tribal-class Destroyer that survived WW2 is located and displayed in Canada as a museum ship .............................................................................. 10 Figure 2. Ship plans for Tribal-class Destroyer ...................................................................... 11 Figure 3. British ships after suffering air attack-off the coast of Norway in 1940 .................. 15 Figure 4. The Sinking of the Bismarck depicted by Charles E. Turner. Showing the final salvo of torpedoes that eventually sunk the Bismarck .............................................................. 17 Figure 5. A typical view of Malta, with local ‘dghaisas’ in the foreground and Maori located in between. Most