Photogrammetric Techniques Reveal Ancient Mysteries

The World Scan project utilizes photogrammetry technology to create digital archives of world heritage sites and historical and cultural sites.

Photogrammetry is a technology that creates 3D models and maps from multiple photographs. It measures distances and shapes by comparing characteristic points on the photographs and extracts precise data.

Generating a 3D model (right) from an actual photograph (left)

3D scanning of archaeological sites and artifacts around the world

We have utilized this technology to archive a wide variety of locations. Ichikawa, CTO of the Worldscan project, explains photogrammetry this way.

Take, for example, a battery. To recognize that this square object is three-dimensional, we look at it from different directions and think, "Oh, this is a cube. In the same way, we take multi-angle images of an object from various positions and angles. Using hundreds of photographs of the object and a personal computer equipped with special algorithms, we generate our 3D data from these photographs.

CTO & Art Director Yasumasa Ichikawa

We have worked on 3D scanning projects all over the world. In Egypt, for example, we used it to survey the pyramids and the Abu Simbel temple complex. In Japan, we used this technology to find the destroyer Warabi, which was lying on the ocean floor.

Great Pyramid of Giza

World Heritage No. 1 Abu Simbel Great Temple

IJN destroyer Warabi sunk in the Mihonoseki Incident

The Saipan Sea used this technique to preserve the remains of a B-29 fighter plane that sank offshore. We are also using this technique to take 3D measurements of historical sites in Peru!

Also useful for data preservation of undersea artifacts that weather quickly (photo: B-29 fighter jet)

Ruins on a cliff are photographed and converted into 3D data using a drone in Peru

You can experience the results of photogrammetry

We also provide the data to archaeologists for their research to solve ancient mysteries, and create contents to share the 3D data obtained by photogrammetry with many people.

Those who wish to experience it can do so at the "ZEXAVERSE TOKYO" showroom in Ginza, Tokyo. At "ZEXAVERSE TOKYO", a person is scanned in 3D with a 360-degree camera. Visitors can enjoy the world of Metaverse with avatars created from that data.

Scenes from the Metaverse Experience in ZEXAVERSE TOKYO

Metaverse worlds will allow for local experience and interaction with archaeological sites

The World Scan Project will continue to use photogrammetry technology to preserve ancient heritage as data for future generations and create opportunities for many people to experience these ancient sites and history.

For more information about photogrammetry and ZEXAVERSE, please watch this video.