Towards a Mobile 3D Documentation Solution. Video Based Photogrammetry and iPhone 12 Pro as Fieldwork Documentation Tools

New affordable equipment that is suitable for 3D fieldwork documentation has appeared during the last two years. Both photogrammetry and laser scanning have become more affordable for archaeologists, who usually work on limited resources and tight time constraints. In this paper two such novel approaches and their workflows are compared. Photogrammetry based on a video captured by a DJI Osmo Pocket and iPhone 12 Pro LiDAR scan are performed on an actual Finnish archaeological site, with a reference point cloud created with a heavier terrestrial laser scanner. Through comparing the acquisition processes and the accuracy and precision of the results, it is possible to evaluate the potential of these new documentation methods. In addition to their precision and geometric accuracy, the methods are also compared based on ease of use and time constraints. The results prove that while these technologies are still far from being perfect, they point the way to the future of 3D field documentation. Comprehensive and precise capturing of the situation during distinct phases of excavation process is already within the reach of any field archaeologist. The resulting assessment shows the best use cases and applications for a comprehensive photorealistic 3D documentation approach.