Digital Twin Technology in Archaeology: Laser Scanning the Underground Mine Galleries at Agios Sostis, Sifnos
Digital Twin Technology in Archaeology: Laser Scanning the Underground Mine Galleries at Agios Sostis, Sifnos
This study presents the comprehensive three-dimensional documentation of two underground mine galleries of different periods at Agios Sostis, on the island of Sifnos, Western Cyclades (Greece): an ancient vertical access shaft and a horizontal mine gallery that remained in use into the early 20th century. Sifnos has long been a significant centre of mining activity, with evidence dating back to the late 3th millennium BC and continuing into the modern era. Its basement rocks are rich in mineral deposits, including argentiferous lead, as well as copper, and iron- bearing mineralization, the exploitation of which shaped the islands economic and cultural development across multiple periods. Data acquisition was performed using high-resolution terrestrial laser scanning from multiple fixed positions within each mine gallery, complemented by handheld laser scanning, where it was necessary to capture narrow and irregular sections. Topographic control was ensured through the establishment of a large number of Ground Control Points (GCPs), enabling high spatial accuracy. The surface topography above the galleries was documented using photogrammetric processing of imagery collected via Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), producing orthoimages with high ground sampling distances, which were combined with the subsurface scanning data, leading to the construction of static Digital Twins for both galleries. This Digital Twin approach underscores the potential of advanced geospatial techniques for the documentation and protection of vulnerable archaeological heritage, whilst it offers a transferable and scalable framework for similar fragile environments.
Emmanuel Vassilakis; Georgios Gavalas; Aliki Konsolaki; Maria Kazantzaki; Evangelos Tsakalos; George Oikonomidis
4th International Symposium on the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites
Heritage Sites and Urban Development
https://doi.org/10.53243/tc301-2026-73