One problem surrounding the needs of cultural heritage research is the acquisition of static on-site photography, which may limit perceived detail in the artifacts later upon inspection. One method which allows re-lighting of artifacts post-shooting is HP Labs researcher Tom Malzbender’s work in polynomial texture mapping, or PTM. With consultation from Tom and Cultural Heritage Imaging in fall of 2008, xRez Studio visited several key Native American rock art sites in the Colorado Plateau, among them Capitol Reef, Horseshoe Canyon, Sego Canyon, and the Rochester and Sinbad panels. Utilizing gigapixel image capture, multi-spectral infrared imaging, photo-cloud imaging, and PTM technique, xRez was able to test a working methodology for site capture of sensitive rock art resources which far surpass simple static photography.
By viewing the PTM below you can see how it is much easier to see the details of an image where damage has occured. Click and drag to move the light, right click for more features.
