UAV-based photogrammetry: Assessing the application potential and effectiveness for archaeological monitoring and surveying in the research on the ‘valley of the kings’ (Tuva, Russia)

The article offers an evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of using UAV-based photogrammetry for updating the planigraphy of well-studied archaeological sites and discovering new ones. The study is based on the data collected in the ‘Valley of the Kings’ in the Republic of Tyva (otherwise called Tuva, Russia). Data analysis using GIS software found 1000 archaeological objects and other, possibly archaeological objects. UAV-based digital photogrammetry has proved informative and effective in our study. In addition to the previously known archaeological objects, it enabled us to detect numerous new archaeological objects, which had been missed in the earlier investigations carried out on the ground. However, this survey technology has been found to have a significant number of limitations as to its applicability in the search for archaeological objects, and it is concluded that UAVs cannot replace archaeological investigations on the ground, particularly as regards identification of objects. [Display omitted] •UAV-based photogrammetry allows discovering archaeological objects over vast territories in the shortest possible time.•UAV-based photogrammetry allows finding new objects even on well-studied archaeological sites.•UAV-based photogrammetry makes it possible to detect archaeological objects hardly detectable via traditional surveys.