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Show HN: I 3D scanned the tunnels inside the Maya Pyramid Temples at Copan

(mused.com)
462 points lukehollis | 2 comments | 15 Oct 24 12:57 UTC | HN request time: 0.507s | source

With these 3d captures, you can explore the 4km tunnel system that archaeologists created inside the temples at Copan that are closed to the public. The tunnels are often flooded by hurricanes and damaged by other natural forces--and collapsed on me and my Matterport scanner more than once--so this is a permanent record of how they appeared in 2022-23.

Unlike Egyptian pyramids, the Maya built their temples layer by layer outward, so to understand them, researchers tunneled into the structures to understand the earlier phases of construction. I arranged the guided versions of the virtual tours in a rough chronology, moving from the highest to the lowest and oldest areas: the hieroglyphic stairway composing the largest Maya inscription anywhere, the Rosalila temple that was buried fully intact, and finally the tomb of the Founder of the city, Yax Kʼukʼ Moʼ.

I've been working to build on top of the Matterport SDK with Three.js--and then reusing the data in Unreal for a desktop experience or rendering for film (coming soon to PBS).

Blog about process: https://blog.mused.com/what-lies-beneath-digitally-recording...

Major thanks to the Matterport team for providing support with data alignment and merging tunnels while I was living in the village near site.

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jofla_net ◴[15 Oct 24 21:11 UTC] No.41853168[source]▶
This is great use of the technology. There should be scans of all our national monuments, world wonders, etc. So much better a use for the tech than just Redfin.
replies(2): >>41853818 #>>41854004 #
volk45 ◴[15 Oct 24 22:32 UTC] No.41853818[source]▶
Popping my comment cherry here!

I’m a 3D artist that is currently encountering staunch resistance of generating 3D models from drone captured photogrammetry of historically protected sites in Pennsylvania, USA.

I’ve had resistance from the state and county level in pursuing take off and landing permission at historical sites. Communicating my intentions of digital historic preservation with photogrammetry has been a difficult “sell”.

I’m a licensed commercial remote pilot - however I need property owner permission to take off and land. Many sites are in state/county owned property in my area.

replies(6): >>41854009 #>>41854085 #>>41854350 #>>41854845 #>>41855488 #>>41867058 #
1. lukehollis ◴[15 Oct 24 23:03 UTC] No.41854009[source]▶
Hey I'm really sorry! It's really hard. My photo permissions at Giza took two years to secure. My only advice is to keep showing up in person and hang in there--I feel for you!
replies(1): >>41855205 #
2. volk45 ◴[16 Oct 24 03:05 UTC] No.41855205[source]▶
That’s some incredible perseverance from you! In person is the right move though. Getting FaceTime in with groups or people who are part of the process does seem to make the best headway.