Eight Million Points Per Day: Archaeological Implications of Laser Scanning and Three-Dimensional Modeling of Pu'ukohola Heiau, Hawai'i Island

Abstract

Recent applications of three-dimensional modeling in archaeology have become more widespread in recent years for site-based and landscape approaches. The authors perform a three-dimensional analysis of Pu 'ukoholii Heiau, using data collected with a Cyrax laser scanner. By examining the three-dimensional model, surface area and volumetric calculations are made. These calculations are used to estimate labor input based on experimental data collected in a previous study of excavated Maui heiau and producing similar results without need for excavation.