A groundbreaking study from the University of Seville has harnessed mobile smartphone LiDAR and terrestrial laser scanning to create high-fidelity 3D models of La Pileta Cave in Benaoján, Málaga, Spain. Published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, this research maps the cave’s complex morphology and its Upper Paleolithic to Bronze Age rock art with unprecedented precision. The cave, a National Monument since 1924, houses thousands of graphic motifs and a 100,000-year archaeological sequence, including a rare Gravettian-period stone lamp with pigment traces—one of the Iberian Peninsula’s oldest known lighting devices. This non-invasive approach minimizes physical interaction with fragile heritage, offering a model for digital preservation.
The methodology integrates accessible smartphone LiDAR with professional-grade terrestrial scanners, achieving sub-centimeter accuracy in capturing cave surfaces and faint, eroded symbols previously undetected. By combining these technologies, researchers produced detailed 3D renderings of rock textures and prehistoric art, enabling virtual exploration and analysis without risking site degradation. The study’s open-access data supports interdisciplinary research, from archaeological interpretation to geological mapping, while the technology’s affordability broadens its applicability to other heritage sites.
This work underscores the transformative potential of mobile LiDAR in archaeology. The precise models facilitate quantitative studies of spatial relationships between motifs and cave features, offering insights into prehistoric cultural practices. Additionally, the digital archive serves as a safeguard against natural degradation or human impact, ensuring long-term preservation. The approach also enhances educational outreach, allowing virtual access for scholars and students worldwide.
This study sets a precedent for scalable, cost-effective 3D mapping in archaeological research. As mobile LiDAR technology advances, its integration with AI-driven image analysis could further uncover hidden patterns in rock art, revolutionizing how we study and preserve humanity’s earliest cultural expressions. This fusion of accessibility and precision promises to redefine heritage science.
Click here for the Japanese version.