Virtual replication of sediment cores for geoarchaeological research in Uruk-Warka (Iraq)

Abstract

This study presents a novel methodology for the production of high-detail, georeferenced virtual replicas of sediment cores extracted using vibracoring, a widely used technique for subsurface investigations in geoscientific research. In a case study conducted around the ancient city of Uruk in southern Iraq, 150 meters of sediment cores from 25 locations were documented. A specialized photogrammetric technique was developed to rapidly capture the visual characteristics of the stratified sediments before sampling and reuse. Cross-polarization was applied to normalize the resulting textures for enhanced sedimentological analysis. An automated processing pipeline generated georeferenced 3D models with high-detail textures, which were integrated into the UAV-based landscape model of the Uruk-VR digital twin. This comprehensive integration of surface and subsurface data offers a foundation for three-dimensional spatial analysis of stratigraphy, facilitating the reconstruction of ancient canal systems and landscape evolution of one of the oldest cities of humankind.