More than meets the eye. Structured light and 3D enhancing strategies: the case of the Assa Valley rock art (Vicenza, Italy)

This chapter presents a pilot study aimed at investigating the morphological and morphometric characteristics of a selection of engravings located on the vertical walls of the Assa Valley (Asiago Plateau, Vicenza, Italy). 3D data acquired via Structured-Light Scanner was used to create textured 3D models with micrometric resolution. Morphometric data were converted and processed with LiDAR-derived enhancing techniques including multiple Hillshading, Openness, Sky-View Factor, and slope gradient. These visualisations improved the identification of the iconographic motifs, but also helped in reconstructing the tools and the techniques used for engraving. Finally, we compared and discussed a set of (semi) automated classification procedures in order to distinguish the different representations on the rock surfaces.