High-Precision 3D Documentation of a Culturel Heritage Using UAV Photogrammetry: The Ismail Fakirullah Tomb

Abstract

The documentation and preservation of cultural heritage sites are essential for maintaining historical continuity and transferring valuable knowledge to future generations. This study presents the three-dimensional (3D) documentation of the & Idot;smail Fakirullah Shrine located in Tillo, Siirt (T & uuml;rkiye) using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry. Four ground control points were established in the field, and 20 detail points were measured using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and total-station instruments. A total of 167 photographs were captured with a DJI Mini 3 Pro UAV, and the photogrammetric workflow- including sparse point cloud, dense point cloud, mesh generation, and texture mapping-was carried out using Agisoft Metashape software. The accuracy assessment based on the comparison of field measurements and photogrammetric data yielded a root mean square error (RMSE) of +/- 4.4 cm. The resulting high-resolution 3D model provides reliable geometric information for documentation, conservation, restoration planning, and digital archiving of the shrine. This study also demonstrates the potential for expanding similar digital heritage documentation efforts throughout the region.