Current photogrammetry methods for documentation of Underwater Cultural Heritage

Archaeological, historical, and cultural assets have constituted the underwater cultural heritage. Preserving these underwater assets is more difficult and sensitive than the underground artifacts. Especially archaeological assets can easily disappear with the information they contain. Therefore, imaging and documentation studies are very important for obtaining, managing and transferring information to future generations. In this study, Photogrammetry, which is preferred to be used in many fields (archeology, architecture, restoration, etc.), reveals how it is the main documentation method with its use in Underwater Cultural Heritage and current methods. This study aims to show the potential of Underwater Photogrammetry; which is currently lacking in the Turkish Underwater Cultural Heritage Literature, and to provide the documentation methods used. In addition to being 1:1 scaled and geographically referenced, the data obtained with these methods can be used in the creation of virtual museums and exhibitions as well as conservation and management plans by transferring three-dimensional (3D) models and reconstructions to different software. In our digitalizing world, keeping up with the times with these methods is very important and necessary in Underwater Cultural Heritage and underwater disciplines that are intertwined with technology. The first section of the thesis describes the definition, historical development and evaluation methods of Photogrammetry. In the second section of the thesis, the Underwater Photogrammetry and the factors affecting Photogrammetry under the water is explained. The third section describes the methods used, softwares, and data processing phases. GIS and Videogrammetry were also briefly has been mentioned. In the Field Studies section of the thesis, the samples were tested using the Direct Survey Method (DSM) together with the scale bars. This method has been tested by applying in Kaş İnce Burun Fener Region, Kekova Karaada and Gelidonya Fener Region.