What Can 3D Scanning of Stone Monuments Do? Explaining 6 Use Cases

3D scanning of stone monuments is not merely a method for recording shapes in three dimensions. It is increasingly being used in practical settings to accurately document current conditions before weathering or loss progresses, to examine inscriptions that are difficult to read with the naked eye, and to assist in restoration and preservation planning. Especially for professionals involved in cultural property management, historic site maintenance, preservation of regional archival materials, the upkeep of temples, shrines, and local governments, and investigations by research institutions, how to preserve and utilize stone monuments is an important theme.

Traditional photography and direct measurement alone can provide a certain level of record, but stone monuments are objects with many features—surface relief and fine scratches, the depth of inscriptions, tilts, and the positional relationships of chips—that are difficult to convey in two dimensions. For this reason, 3D scanning has attracted attention as a means to improve the accuracy of records and their reusability. In recent years, moreover, the way acquired data is treated has shifted: rather than merely storing it, there is a growing approach to link it to comparative verification, publication, education, and decisions about restoration, and the implications of adopting it have changed significantly.

In this article, aimed at practitioners searching for "stone monument 3D scan", we clarify what can be achieved with 3D scanning of stone monuments and then explain specific use cases divided into six categories. We also clearly summarize, from a practical on-site perspective, the steps and precautions you should keep in mind when actually incorporating it into your work.

Table of Contents

• What is 3D scanning of stone monuments?

• Why 3D Scanning Is Required for Stone Monuments

• Use Case 1: Preservation of Current Conditions and Deterioration Records

• Use case 2 Visualization and decipherment support for inscriptions and carvings

• Case Study 3: Consideration of Restoration Plans and Preservation Maintenance

• Use Case 4 Recovery documentation for preparing for disasters and damage

• Use Case 5: Comparative Use of Survey Research and Regional Materials

• Use Case 6: Exhibition and Expansion into Educational Content

• How to Apply 3D Scanning of Stone Monuments in Professional Practice

• Summary: Handling location information is also important to make use of stone monument records

What is a 3D scan of a stone monument?

A 3D scan of a stone monument is the process of capturing the monument’s shape and surface irregularities as three-dimensional data and recording them as three-dimensional information. There are several acquisition methods, but fundamentally it gathers the countless positional data points on the monument’s surface and reconstructs them into a three-dimensional shape. This enables a more multifaceted understanding of the monument’s height, width, thickness, tilt, corner wear, the depth of inscriptions, and the shapes of missing parts than flat photographs provide.

At first glance a stone monument may appear to have a simple form, but in reality it is an object that contains a great deal of information. The surface of the stone bears erosion from years of wind and rain, and features such as moss and dirt deposition, cracks, fine spalling, and tilting caused by ground subsidence manifest in complex ways. Inscribed characters and patterns also change in appearance depending on their depth, angle, and the extent of wear, so three-dimensional documentation is effective for accurately preserving them.

Moreover, the value of 3D scanning is not limited to seeing things on-site. The acquired data can be stored as reference material for future comparisons, shared with other staff or researchers, used as a basis for decisions on restoration or relocation, or repurposed for exhibitions and educational materials. In other words, a 3D scan of a stone monument is easier to understand if you think of it not as a one-off survey activity but as the development of foundational data that connects preservation, management, and utilization.

In practice, there are cases where only the stone monument itself is photographed, and other cases where the pedestal, surrounding topography, approach path, explanatory panels, and nearby structures are also captured. This makes it easier to understand not only the condition of the monument itself but also its relationship with the installation environment. Because whether a standalone record or a spatial record including the surroundings is made affects the required accuracy, work procedures, and deliverable design, it is important when introducing the process to clarify the purpose of the recording.

Why 3D Scanning Is Needed for Stone Monuments

The primary reason 3D scanning is required for stone monuments is that it can preserve, as objectively as possible, information that is lost over time. Stone monuments are often installed outdoors, and their condition gradually changes due to various factors such as rain, wind, temperature differences, humidity, salt, vegetation overgrowth, and human contact. Because these changes are not abrupt they are easily overlooked, but over the course of several years the contours of inscriptions can become blurred, surface delamination can progress, and tilting can increase.

Photographic records are also important, but they have the limitation that appearance can be affected by shooting conditions. Lighting, the way shadows fall, lens distortion, and differences in shooting position can make the same stone monument give a different impression. By contrast, 3D scanning can retain shape numerically, making it easier to view cross-sections later, overlay data from different times, and check the amount of change. This is a major strength when making decisions about conservation and restoration.

Moreover, in on-site management it is not uncommon for the person in charge to change. If, each time, "what the previous condition was" relies only on verbal accounts or photographs, continuous maintenance becomes difficult. By preserving the information as three-dimensional data, it is easier to share the same information base even when personnel change, and the handover of judgments is smoother.

Additionally, in recent years there has been growing demand not only for preservation but also for public access and use. These needs include enabling people to study stone monuments that can only be seen on site remotely, presenting them clearly in exhibitions, and linking them to an understanding of local history. 3D data is a format that can readily accommodate both preservation and utilization. In other words, 3D scanning of stone monuments is increasingly necessary not merely as an advanced measurement technology but as a practical means that supports the overall planning of preservation, sharing, transmission, and public presentation.

Use Case 1: Preservation of Current Conditions and Deterioration Records

The most fundamental and important application is the preservation of the current condition of stone monuments and the documentation of their deterioration. Once damage to a stone monument progresses, it is difficult to fully restore it to its original state. Therefore, there is great value in preserving the current shape and surface condition with as high reproducibility as possible.

For example, if a small chip is found on the top of a stone monument, its depth and three-dimensional extent can be difficult to discern from photographs. However, if it is captured by a 3D scan, the location, area, and depth profile of the chip can be checked more easily afterward. Similarly, wear and erosion on the face of the monument, which can be hard to judge from a two-dimensional appearance, become easier to track over time by comparing their three-dimensional shapes.

This approach is more effective when carried out continuously, like fixed-point monitoring, than as a one-off record. For example, if scans are conducted under the same conditions every few years, it becomes easier to compare which surfaces are more prone to weathering, where the effects of rain drips are concentrated, and whether deterioration is increasing near points of contact with the ground. This makes it possible to make conservation decisions based on records rather than on subjective judgment.

What matters for practitioners is that deterioration records do not end up as mere archival materials. For example, they can be used to compare conditions before and after cleaning or protective treatments, to verify the effects of nearby drainage improvements or vegetation management, and to help reassess conservation environments. Managing stone monuments requires considering not only the surface but also their relationship with the surrounding environment. For that reason, records based on 3D data are extremely effective as a starting point for preservation management.

Moreover, when researchers and conservation specialists re-examine the site in the future, being able to refer concretely to the condition at that time is extremely valuable. 3D data complement the details that cannot be conveyed by the impressions of people who saw the site or by brief reports. A 3D scan of a stone monument can be said to be one of the most essential preservation actions in the sense of recording it before it is lost.

Use Case 2 Visualization of Inscriptions and Carvings and Assistance with Deciphering

The value of a stone monument lies not only in its form but also in the characters, images, patterns, and decorations carved into it. However, in reality, many stone monuments have become difficult to read due to years of weathering and surface soiling. In such situations, visualization of inscriptions and carvings through 3D scanning is useful.

The reason characters are hard to read is not simply that the color is faint. In many cases the edges of the characters have been worn down so that shading is reduced, and the boundaries of the strokes become difficult to discern with the naked eye. When a 3D scan captures the surface relief, it becomes easier to recognize the characters as differences in shape rather than by their visible color. By displaying them from different angles, enhancing the shading, or examining cross-sections, the contours of characters that were difficult to distinguish on site can become easier to see.

This is not about completely automating the decipherment process. Rather, the important point is that it can improve the quality of supporting materials for interpretation. Details that were difficult to confirm when merely copying onto paper in the field can be examined calmly through three-dimensional data. Because multiple staff members and researchers can view the same data while exchanging opinions, this also leads to improved accuracy in readings.

It is also useful not only for the text but for examining the designs and traces of surface treatment carved into a stone monument. Tool marks from hand craftsmanship, traces of later repairs, and differences in surface finishing can help in understanding the conservation history and production background. Shallow irregularities that are easily missed in photographs can be more readily captured as information when treated in three dimensions.

In professional practice, there are times when you want to avoid unnecessary contact to assist legibility. When you want to obtain information without touching a stone monument directly or performing aggressive cleaning, 3D scanning is well suited as a non-contact method capable of capturing fine details. Of course, surface condition and material can present challenges, but at the very least, having the option of 3D recording before "giving up because it's unreadable" is a significant advantage.

Case Study 3: Considerations for Restoration Planning and Conservation Maintenance

3D scanning of stone monuments is also effective when planning restoration and preservation work. Restoration does not simply mean repairing the broken parts. It is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment about how far to intervene, which parts to leave as they are, how to improve the surrounding environment, and how to protect the monument going forward. As material for making those decisions, being able to grasp the current condition three-dimensionally has great significance.

For example, if a stone monument is leaning slightly forward, it can be difficult to accurately judge the degree of risk by appearance alone. With 3D data, it becomes easier to clarify the direction of the tilt, the relationship between the monument itself and its base, and the positional relationship with the surrounding ground. It is also useful when different faces show different deterioration, helping to determine which parts should be prioritized for treatment.

Furthermore, keeping a detailed record of the condition before restoration is important for verifying the validity of the work itself. Even if the appearance looks tidy after restoration, future reassessment will be difficult unless you can trace which parts are original and which have been repaired. Conducting a 3D scan beforehand makes it easier to organize the differences before and after restoration and increases the transparency of the records.

When considering preservation and maintenance, not only the monument itself but also its relationship with the surroundings—such as the flow of rainwater, the distance to trees, pedestrian movement patterns, and the placement of protective fences and information signs—is important. Therefore, as needed, grasping the area around the monument in three dimensions improves the accuracy of maintenance planning. This is because it enables discussions to be based on spatial information rather than relying solely on on-site impressions.

For practitioners, 3D data is useful even when explaining matters to external experts and related organizations, because it allows sharing situations that are difficult to convey with photographs alone through three-dimensional materials. It makes it easier to build a common understanding from the early stages of review and reduces discrepancies in decision-making. A 3D scan of a stone monument is not only a record for preservation but also material that supports decision-making for preservation.

Use Case 4: Recovery Documentation to Prepare for Disasters and Damage

Stone monuments are often outdoors and therefore exposed to various risks such as earthquakes, heavy rain, landslides, fallen trees, and vehicle collisions. If a topple or breakage occurs, how accurately the pre-disaster condition was documented will determine the quality of subsequent restoration. This is where pre-acquired 3D scan data becomes important.

For example, if a stone monument has broken into several fragments, photographs alone may not be sufficient to determine the original spatial relationships or the extent of the missing material. However, if pre-disaster 3D data are available, referring to the overall shape before the damage makes it easier to identify what has been lost and what remains. This provides fundamental reference material when considering restoration policies and deciding the scope of repairs.

Also, if collapse or tilting occurs, being able to compare it with the previous installation state makes it much easier to grasp the extent of the displacement. Rather than simply describing it as “fallen” or “shifted,” being able to consider it as a specific change is a major strength. This is also useful when prioritizing emergency response and when preparing materials for insurance, reporting, and explanation.

Moreover, access to the site may be restricted after a disaster. In such circumstances, previously acquired 3D data becomes a valuable basis for decision-making. Even when it is not possible to physically inspect the actual site, stakeholders can share the situation and more easily consider recovery policies. Because you cannot prepare for a disaster after it happens, it is important to decide how extensively to document things during normal times.

From this perspective, 3D scanning of stone monuments has significance not only for "utilization" but also as a "preservation reserve" for emergencies. In particular, for monuments that convey a region's history or for objects with irreplaceable cultural value, whether or not a high-precision pre-disaster record exists makes a major difference. It is often overlooked in routine management, but it is an area of use that those responsible for operations should place particular importance on.

Use Case 5: Comparative Use of Research Studies and Local Materials

3D scanning of stone monuments can be widely used not only for cultural heritage preservation and maintenance but also for surveys and research. Stone monuments do not exist in isolation; they provide clues to local history, religious beliefs, transportation, disasters, people, and changes in land use. When compiled as 3D data, they become research materials that are easier to compare and share than before.

For example, when comparing multiple stone monuments within the same area, it becomes easier to more objectively verify differences in dimensions, shapes, pedestal types, inscription layout, and tool marks. This adds perspectives that are difficult to obtain from photographs alone, such as estimates of the date of erection, similarities in production lineage, and the presence or absence of later additions. Lining up and comparing stone monuments from different periods also provides material for examining changes in expressive styles and the way characters are carved.

Also, when used as regional documentation, adding location and surrounding environment information to the data on a stone monument itself deepens understanding of the historical landscape. For example, for stone monuments whose installation sites are meaningful—such as along old roads, within temple or shrine precincts, or at the entrances of settlements—it is important to grasp them including their relationships with the surroundings. If a 3D scan can record the relationship between the stone monument and the space, it becomes easier to use in the context of local history.

From a research perspective, another advantage is that data can be easily shared with stakeholders who cannot visit the site frequently. Because the shapes of the stone monuments can be checked remotely, it becomes easier to establish a common basis for discussion. When multiple people review materials, a major benefit is that discussions can be based on shared three-dimensional information, making them less susceptible to differences in how photographs appear.

Even for practitioners, these research applications are not irrelevant. To adequately explain the value of stone monuments and secure stakeholders' understanding of the need for preservation, it is necessary to show that they are not merely objects for storage but materials for interpreting a community's memory. 3D scanning can also serve as a means to enhance the persuasiveness of that explanation. This is because preservation and research may appear to be separate tasks, but in reality they have a mutually supportive relationship.

Use Case 6 Public Exhibition and Expansion into Educational Content

3D scan data of stone monuments can also be used for exhibitions and educational content. While there is value in seeing a stone monument on site, they are often outdoors with insufficient explanations, and constraints of distance and safety can make it hard to see details. By digitizing them as 3D data, you can supplement on-site understanding and make it easier to deliver information to people who cannot visit in person.

For example, when introducing a stone monument in an exhibition, you can show the back and sides, the carved inscriptions, and the shapes of damaged or missing parts in three dimensions—details that are difficult to convey with only a frontal photograph. If visitors can change the viewing angle or zoom in, their understanding will deepen. In educational settings as well, instead of simply saying "there is an old stone monument," it becomes easier to learn concretely what kinds of characters are inscribed, in what form it was erected, and what kinds of weathering have occurred.

Furthermore, even when a stone monument is located far away or cannot be approached for preservation reasons, 3D data can be used as an alternative learning resource. This concept is readily applicable not only to school education but also to community learning, tourist guidance, and explanations of local historical materials. It should also be noted that it can promote understanding without placing additional strain on the physical object.

Moreover, public use also has the effect of increasing interest in preservation. When the value of stone monuments is hard to convey, the need for maintenance and management is also less likely to be shared. However, if 3D data can convey the appeal of inscriptions and forms, the historical context, and the actual extent of deterioration, it becomes easier to gain the understanding and interest of local people. Preservation is not something that can be completed by those responsible alone; because it is largely supported by the understanding of the surrounding community, this ripple effect is important.

Of course, if the intention is public release, you need to design aspects such as what level of accuracy to capture, how much to show, and how to provide explanatory notes. Simply recording the data will not produce engaging content. By deciding from the start whether the aim is for preservation, for research, or for public release, 3D scans of stone monuments will acquire greater practical value.

How to Apply 3D Scanning of Stone Monuments in Professional Practice

To make 3D scanning of stone monuments useful in professional practice, simply performing measurements is not enough. It is important to plan what the data is being acquired for, what kind of deliverables will be produced, and who will use them in what situations. If these points remain unclear, the data you went to the trouble of acquiring will just lie dormant in storage.

First, what you should clarify is the priority of objectives. Depending on whether the primary purpose is preservation of the current state, assisting with legibility, consideration of restoration, or public exhibition, the required accuracy, capture area, and how the data are processed will differ. For example, if you want to see shallow text relief, detailed surface representation as well as the overall shape becomes important. On the other hand, if you prioritize spatial relationships with the surroundings, you need to capture not only the monument itself but also the surrounding features.

Next, it is important to check the on-site conditions. It is not uncommon for stone monuments to be located in places that are difficult to measure, such as in the shade, backlit, in confined spaces, under trees, on slopes, or beyond fences. If the surface has a lot of moisture or moss, it can affect the capture of fine details and the way features appear. Therefore, you need to assess site obstructions in advance and consider what time of day to work, how much of the surrounding area to clear, and from which direction to capture.

Also, the design of the deliverables is essential. What is truly practical in actual work is not raw data alone but deliverables organized in a form that makes necessary checks easy. For example, organization according to the intended use is required, such as data that shows the overall shape, data usable for checking details of the monument surface, reference data for comparison, and drawings or records that show positional relationships. If only a specific specialist can handle them, it becomes difficult to make use of them within the organization.

Furthermore, it's important to be mindful of operations that assume re-measurement. Records of stone monuments are not necessarily completed in a single measurement. If you plan to use them for future comparisons, you should record which reference standards were used and how the positional relationships were documented so that the same approach can be continued next time. Continuity in records yields value beyond the results of a single year.

A commonly overlooked issue is the handling of location information. Even if you have standalone 3D data of a stone monument, if where it is on site and how it relates to its surroundings are unclear, it becomes difficult to use for maintenance or comparative review. Especially when considering stone monument relocation, centralized management of multiple records, on-site verification, and coordination with surrounding site improvements, it is essential to accurately record its spatial position. Only when both the form and the location are preserved does a record become useful in practical work.

Summary: Proper handling of location information is also important to make the most of stone monument records

3D scanning of stone monuments does more than simply create a three-dimensional model. Its practical, work-related applications are broader than one might imagine: preservation of the current condition and recording of deterioration, visualization of inscriptions and carvings, evaluation of restoration plans, documentation for recovery after disasters, use in research and investigation, and deployment for exhibition and educational purposes. Because stone monuments gradually lose information over time, there is great value in preserving their present state in three dimensions.

However, simply acquiring 3D data is not enough. It is important to prepare with an eye to why the data is being recorded, what level of accuracy is required, and how it will be compared, shared, and used in the future. In particular, from the standpoint of practitioners, keeping the data in a state that allows management not only of the stone monument’s shape but also of its installation position and its relationship to the surroundings makes preservation, inspection, re-survey, and explanation all easier to carry out.

In that sense, together with 3D scans of stone monuments, preparing an environment that enables efficient on-site position verification and coordinate management has significant value. High-precision positioning devices, such as LRTK units that can be attached to an iPhone, are useful when you need to accurately record a stone monument’s installation location and to make recording the surroundings or confirming information on revisit smoother. By combining 3D scans that preserve the monument’s shape with high-precision positioning that accurately fixes the monument’s location, preservation recordkeeping becomes more consistent. For reliably passing on cultural properties and local archival materials to the future, the coexistence of shape documentation and location information will become increasingly important.