Digital mediation from discrete model to archaeological model: the Janus Arch

Survey operations and the representation of acquired data should today be considered as consolidated. New acquisition methods such as points clouds obtained using 3D laser scanners are also part of today’s scenario. The scope of this paper is to propose a protocol of operations based on extensive previous experience and work to acquire and elaborate data obtained using complex 3D survey. This protocol focuses on illustrating the methods used to turn a numerical model into a system of two-dimensional and three-dimensional models that can help to understand the object in question. The study method is based on joint practical work by architects and archaeologists. The final objective is to create a layout that can satisfy the needs of scholars and researchers working in different disciplinary fields. The case study in this paper is the Arch of Janus in Rome near the Forum Boarium. The paper will illustrate the entire acquisition process and method used to transform the acquired data after creation of a model. The entire operation was developed in close collaboration between the RADAAr Dept., University of Rome “Sapienza,” Italy and the Istituto de Arqueologia (CSIC, Junta de Extremadura, Consorcio de Mérida), Spain