Cemetery preservation and laser scanning

We use two laser scanners, from Cyra and Minolta, to gather data at a long-neglected cemetery. Our aims are to: (1) create a virtual model of the cemetery which people can visit on-line; (2) preserve data on the present state of the cemetery for future restoration work if the cemetery is vandalized; (3) assist archaeologists in determining the possible locations of unmarked graves; and (4) build a 4D model of the cemetery, with time as the 4th dimension, so a visitor can view the cemetery as it was at any time in its history. We also scan individual stones, both to preserve existing legible carvings and to reconstruct inscriptions that are no longer visible to the unaided eye. Essentially, we scan the front of the stone, slice off the points corresponding to the front surface of the stone, and then use various techniques to "connect the points" and reconstruct the inscriptions.