SavedAdd your journal

Journals / International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences / 2026 / Volume: 11 Issue: 2

Use of UAV Photogrammetry in Archaeological Sites; The Example of the Ancient City of Lystra

Abdullah Varlık(NECMETTİN ERBAKAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ, MÜHENDİSLİK VE MİMARLIK FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-2072-3313
Süleyman Savaş Durduran(NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING-ARCHITECTURE)0000-0003-0509-4037
İlker Mete Mimiroğlu(NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-0007-5355
Ertekin Mustafa Doksanaltı(SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, EDEBİYAT FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-3625-7812
Cahit Karakök(NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-9201-4810
Deniz Sevmen(SELÇUK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, EDEBİYAT FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-2077-2158
Pages
—
Publication Date
2025-12-16
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Future research suggests the integration of different sensors for more comprehensive analyses.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Activities conducted using UAV photogrammetry in archaeology have become increasingly common in recent years as they simplify documentation in archaeological excavations and surface surveys while providing a new perspective.
📊
Key Findings & Data:In this study, Digital Elevation Models, Orthophotos, and 3D Models were produced using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry at the ancient city of Lystra, generating detailed topographic products for pre-excavation preparation phases.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Future research suggests the integration of different sensors for more comprehensive analyses.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:UAV Photogrammetry · DEM · Orthofoto

Abstract

Activities conducted using UAV photogrammetry in archaeology have become increasingly common in recent years as they simplify documentation in archaeological excavations and surface surveys while providing a new perspective. In this study, Digital Elevation Models, Orthophotos, and 3D Models were produced using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry at the ancient city of Lystra, generating detailed topographic products for pre-excavation preparation phases. Thanks to UAV technology, archaeological remains on the surface were documented through three-dimensional models and high-resolution orthophotos. This method not only saves time in excavation planning but also significantly reduces costs and enhances the accuracy of archaeological data. This study highlights how effectively technology can be utilized in excavation planning, the analysis of surface remains, and the documentation of cultural heritage. Future research suggests the integration of different sensors for more comprehensive analyses.

🔖

Cite This Article

Varlık, A., Durduran, S. S., Mimiroğlu, İ. M., Doksanaltı, E. M., Karakök, C., Sevmen, D. (2025). Use of UAV Photogrammetry in Archaeological Sites; The Example of the Ancient City of Lystra. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, Volume: 11 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1705025

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (43)

  1. Varol, F. (2025). Creation of surface model using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry in cultural heritage areas: The example of Kilistra Ancient City. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 10(2), 137-150. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1487818
  2. Varol, F. (2020). Sürdürülebilir kültürel miras yönetimi: Turizm paydaşlarına yönelik bir araştırma. Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 22(4), 1140-1156. https://doi.org/10.32709/akusosbil.803393
  3. Tabakoğlu, C. (2024). A Review: Detection types and systems in remote sensing. Advanced GIS, 4(2), 100–105.
  4. Önder, M., Güntel, A., & Kaya, Özgür Y. (2022). A geographical information systems (GIS) perspective on European green deal and sustainability. Advanced GIS, 2(1), 33–37.
  5. Uray, F., Metin, A., & Varlık, A. (2015). 3D architectural surveying of Diyarbakir wall's Ulu Beden tower with terrestrial laser scanner. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science, 15, 73-78 https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6020031
  6. Lasaponara R., MASİNİ N., 2011. “Satellite remote sensing in archaeology: past, present and future perspectives”, Journal of Archaeological Science 38 (9), pp. 1995-2002.
  7. Yakar, M. (2011). Using close range photogrammetry to measure the position of inaccessible geological features. Experimental Techniques, 35(1), 54-59.
  8. Yakar, M., & Doğan, Y. (2017). Mersin Silifke Mezgit Kale Anıt Mezarı fotogrametrik rölöve alımı ve üç boyutlu modelleme çalışması. Geomatik, 2(1), 11-17. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.296763
  9. Fiumi, L. (2023). Remote sensing analysis on Rome’s squares. Advanced Remote Sensing, 3(2), 79–89.
  10. Senkal, E., Kaplan, G., & Avdan, U. (2021). Accuracy assessment of digital surface models from unmanned aerial vehicles’ imagery on archaeological sites. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 6(2), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.696001
  11. Lambert, J. M., & Skousen, B. J. (2023). A critical review of UAS-based aerial photography and photogrammetry of Cahokia’s Grand Plaza. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 47, 103789
  12. Orsini, C., Benozzi, E., Williams, V., Rossi, P., & Mancini, F. (2022). UAV Photogrammetry and GIS Interpretations of Extended Archaeological Contexts: The Case of Tacuil in the Calchaquí Area (Argentina). Drones, 6(2), 31.
  13. Yakar, M., & Dogan, Y. (2018). 3D Reconstruction of residential areas with SfM photogrammetry. In Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (pp. 73-75). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  14. Kalaycı, T. (2018). Arkeolojide Mekansal Teknolojiler: Uzaktan Algılama ve Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri. Arkeolojide Temel Yöntemler. Ege Yayınları, 69-107.
  15. Polat, N., Çokoğullu, S., Memduhoğlu, A., Ulukavak, M., Şenol, H. İ., Oral, M.,. & Marangoz, Ö. (2021). İHA fotogrametrisinin arkeolojik yüzey araştirmalarina katkilarinin incelenmesi. TÜBA-AR Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi, (28), 175-186.
  16. Bakirman T, Bayram B, Akpinar B, Karabulut M F, Bayrak O C, Yigitoglu A & Seker D Z (2020). Implementation of ultra-light UAV systems for cultural heritage documentation. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 44, 174-184
  17. Toprak A S, Polat N & Uysal M (2019). 3D modeling of lion tombstones with UAV photogrammetry: a case study in ancient Phrygia (Turkey). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 11(5), 1973-1976.
  18. Sterrett, J. R. S. 1888. The Wolfe Expedition to Asia Minor. Papers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens Volume III 1884-1885. Boston: Damrell and Upham.
  19. Bahar, Hasan, “Hatunsaray Çevresi Erken Yerleşmeleri: Hatunsaray (Lystra)”, I. Uluslararası (Lystra) ve Çevresi, Tarih, Kültür ve Turizm Sempozyumu (Bildiriler), (Editör: Bahar, Hasan), Konya Valiliği İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü Yayınları, Konya 2012, ss.103-115.
  20. Küçükbezci, Hatice Gül, “Assur Ticaret Kolonileri Çağı‟nda Hatunsaray (Lusna) ve Çevresi”, I. Uluslararası (Lystra) ve Çevresi, Tarih, Kültür ve Turizm Sempozyumu (Bildiriler), (Editör: Bahar, Hasan), Konya Valiliği İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğü Yayınları, Konya 2012, ss.135-142.
  21. Ramsay, William Mitchell, The Social Basis Of Roman Power In Asia Minor, Aberdeen University Press, Amsterdam 1941.
  22. Levick, Barbara, Roman Colonies In Southern In Asia Minor, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1967.
  23. Mimiroğlu, İlker M.(2017).Lykaonia Eyaletinde Bir Kent Lystra.The Journal Of Social Sciences.
  24. Yakar, M., Ulvi, A., Yiğit, A. Y., & Alptekin, A. (2023). Discontinuity set extraction from 3D point clouds obtained by UAV photogrammetry in a rockfall site. Survey Review, 55(392), 416-428. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2022.2119747
  25. Yiğit Avdan, Z., Mızık, E. T., Göncü, S., Çömert, R. & Avdan, U. (2024). Virtual geographical environment (VGEs) by incorporation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and acoustic profile for Pond Borabey. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 9 (3), 406-417. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1475023
  26. Yakar, M., Yıldız, F., Uray, F., & Metin, A. (2010, June). Photogrammetric Measurement of The Meke Lake and Its Environment with Kite Photographs to Monitoring of Water Level to Climate Change. In ISPRS Commission V Mid-Term Symposium (pp. 613-616).
  27. Yiğit A Y & Uysal M (2020). Automatic Road Detectionfrom Orthophoto Images. Mersin Photogrammetry Journal, 2(1), 10-17.
  28. Alyilmaz, C, Alyilmaz, S., & Yakar, M., (2010). Measurement of petroglyhps (rock of arts) of Qobustan with close range photogrammetry. International Archives of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 38(Part 5), 29-32
  29. Kaya, Y., Polat, N., Şenol, H. İ., Memduhoğlu, A., & Ulukavak, M. (2021). Arkeolojik kalıntıların belgelenmesinde yersel ve İHA fotogrametrisinin birlikte kullanımı. Türkiye Fotogrametri Dergisi, 3(1), 9-14.
  30. Chiabrando, F., D'Andria, F., Sammartano, G., & Spanò, A. (2018). UAV photogrammetry for archaeological site survey. 3D models at the Hierapolis in Phrygia (Turkey). Virtual Archaeology Review, 9(18), 28-43
  31. Memduhoglu, A. (2023). Identifying impervious surfaces for rainwater harvesting feasibility using unmanned aerial vehicle imagery and machine learning classification. Advanced GIS, 3(1), 01-06
  32. Yakar, M., Yilmaz, H. M., & Yurt, K. (2010). The effect of grid resolution in defining terrain surface. Experimental Techniques, 34(6), 23-29.
  33. Yakar, M., Yildiz, F., Alyilmaz, C., & Yilmaz, H. M. (2009). Photogrammetric study for Sircali Medrese Door. 9-th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2009, 879-884.
  34. Zeybek, M., & Kaya, A. (2020). Tarihi yığma kiliselerde hasarların fotogrametrik ölçme tekniğiyle incelenmesi: Artvin Tbeti Kilisesi örneği. Geomatik, 5(1), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.568584
  35. Alyilmaz, C., Yakar, M., & Yilmaz, H. M. (2010). Drawing of petroglyphs in Mongolia by close range photogrammetry. Scientific Research and Essays, 5(11), 1216-1222.
  36. Öncel, C., Ataş, B., Börü, N., & Polat, N. (2023). Utilizing UAVs for rapid spatial data acquisition in disaster management: A case study of Islahiye. Intercontinental Geoinformation Days, 6, 130-133.
  37. Özkadif, S., Varlık, A., İbrahim, K., & Eken, E. (2016). Morphometric evaluation of chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) femur with different modelling techniques.
  38. Westoby, M.J, Brasington, J., Glasser, N.F, Hambrey, M.J and Reynolds, J.M., 2012. ‘Structure-from-Motion’ photogrammetry: A low-cost, effective tool for geoscience applications. Geomorphology 179, pp. 300–314
  39. Alptekin, A., & Yakar, M. (2021, June). Mapping of a Pond Site from UAV-Based Photogrammetry. In Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration (pp. 441-443). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
  40. Çetin, Ş. B. (2023). Real-ESRGAN: A deep learning approach for general image restoration and its application to aerial images. Advanced Remote Sensing, 3(2), 90-99.
  41. Önder, M., Güntel, A., & Kaya, Özgür Y. (2022). A geographical information systems (GIS) perspective on European green deal and sustainability. Advanced GIS, 2(1), 33–37.
  42. Polat, N., Çokoğullu, S., Memduhoğlu, A., Ulukavak, M., Şenol, H. İ., Oral, M.,. & Marangoz, Ö. (2021). İHA fotogrametrisinin arkeolojik yüzey araştirmalarina katkilarinin incelenmesi. TÜBA-AR Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi, (28), 175-186.
  43. Mimiroğlu, İlker M.(2017).Lykaonia Eyaletinde Bir Kent Lystra.The Journal Of Social Sciences.