A method for detecting and monitoring changes to the Okotoks Erratic – “Big Rock” provincial historic site
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 23 August 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Designing and implementing effective strategies for managing heritage resources throughout the world has become critically important as the impacts of climate change and human-caused destruction are increasingly felt. Of particular importance is the ability to identify and track fast- and slow-moving processes associated with weathering, erosion and the movement or removal of heritage objects by natural and human agents. In this paper, the authors demonstrate how 3D laser scanning can be used to detect and monitor changes to the Okotoks Erratic “Big Rock” Provincial Historic Resource in Alberta, Canada, over a period of 7 years.
Design/methodology/approach
Terrestrial laser scanning surveys of the Okotoks Erratic “Big Rock” Provincial Historic Resource were undertaken in 2013, 2016 and 2020. Registration was used to place the three epochs of point clouds into a unique datum for comparison using the cloud-to-cloud distance function in Cloud Compare.
Findings
The movement/repositioning of rocks around the base of the erratic, the emergence of “unofficial” paths and changes to interpretive trails and fencing were all identified at the site over the time period of the study.
Practical implications
Current conservation at the Okotoks Big Rock focus primarily on the rock art panels that are scattered over the erratic. The results of this study indicate they should be broadened so that the geological integrity of the site, which is intrinsically linked to its cultural value, can also be maintained.
Originality/value
This is the first study the authors are aware of that utilizes terrestrial laser scanning + change detection analysis to identify and track changes to a heritage site over a period as long as 7 years.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals who assisted with the collection of data and preparation of the manuscript: David Jarron, Cheska Ronquillo, Breanna Sass, Madison Shevchuk, Chris Tucker, Kate Pexman and Christina Robinson.
Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Citation
Dawson, P., Brink, J., Farrokhi, A., Jia, F. and Lichti, D. (2022), "A method for detecting and monitoring changes to the Okotoks Erratic – “Big Rock” provincial historic site", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-10-2021-0183
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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