What can LiDAR measurement do for cultural heritage? Explaining 7 use cases

In the fields of cultural heritage preservation, documentation, and utilization, there is a growing demand each year to record the current condition as accurately as possible, in as short a time as possible, and with minimal contact to the object. Targets of cultural heritage are diverse—buildings, stone objects, ruins, gardens, historic terrain, and so on—and each requires an appropriate way of recording. Amid these needs, LiDAR measurement has attracted attention.

LiDAR measurement has been increasingly adopted in the cultural heritage field as a method that makes it easy to acquire three-dimensional shape information without touching the object. Conventional field measurement and photo-centered documentation have had issues such as being time-consuming, showing variability depending on the recorder, and struggling to capture complex shapes adequately. On the other hand, LiDAR measurement has strengths in that it can capture wide areas and complex surface geometries in three dimensions and allows later cross-section checks and dimensional verification.

However, when a cultural heritage practitioner searches for "cultural heritage LiDAR measurement," the motive is often not just to learn the technical overview but to know what it can actually be used for, in which situations it is most effective, and what to prepare when introducing it. In the cultural heritage field, simply being able to measure is not enough. Depending on the purpose—preservation, repair, investigation, public presentation, disaster response—the required accuracy, the level of detail in records, and the way deliverables are produced vary greatly.

This article explains what can be done with LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage by dividing practical uses into seven case studies that are easy to imagine in real work. It also organizes the ideas and operational points to check before introduction. Aimed at those who want to position LiDAR measurement not merely as a new technology but as a practical tool supporting preservation and utilization, this article summarizes things clearly from a field perspective.

Table of Contents

• What is LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage

• Use case 1 Record the current condition in three dimensions

• Use case 2 Grasp deterioration and deformation

• Use case 3 Support repair and restoration planning

• Use case 4 Use in excavation surveys and feature recording

• Use case 5 Expand into exhibition and educational outreach

• Use case 6 Emergency documentation and recovery materials for disasters

• Use case 7 Use for maintenance management and temporal comparison

• Points for successful LiDAR measurement of cultural heritage

• Conclusion

What is LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage

LiDAR measurement is a surveying technique that uses light to obtain distances to objects and accumulates them as three-dimensional position information. The many acquired points are handled as point cloud data, from which one can proceed to shape understanding, cross-section inspection, dimension measurement, drafting, and three-dimensional modeling. LiDAR measurement is attracting attention in the cultural heritage field because it makes it easy to record shapes at high density without contact, to preserve objects that include complex bumps and slopes in three dimensions, and to supplement overlooked areas in post-processing.

In cultural heritage documentation, not only overall external dimensions but also fine surface undulations, tilts, deformations, losses, cracks, wear, and signs of differential settlement—the details of the current condition—can be important. Information that is hard to grasp from plans or photos alone can be checked from various angles with three-dimensional data. In particular, rooflines and eaves of buildings, bulging of stone walls, carving depth of stone Buddhas and monuments, and subtle terrain features on the ground are areas where three-dimensional recording is especially effective.

On the other hand, LiDAR measurement is not omnipotent. Because it depends on light reflection conditions, data gaps or noise can occur in strong backlight, on wet surfaces, on highly reflective materials, in extremely dark places, where vegetation obstructs the view, or in narrow spaces. Also, depending on the purpose, recording color information or expressing fine textures may be important, in which case combined use with photography or other surveying methods is a prerequisite. The key is not to think of LiDAR measurement in isolation but to use it after clarifying what you want to preserve, what level of accuracy is required, and what the final deliverables should be.

LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage is not only a means to streamline documentation but also a tool to improve decision-making quality. Because shapes that could only be seen on site can be shared as data, preservation staff, investigators, restoration staff, designers, and managers can discuss while viewing the same information. This high degree of shareability is one of the major reasons LiDAR measurement is valued in the cultural heritage field.

Use case 1 Record the current condition in three dimensions

The most basic and yet highly effective use case is recording the current condition. Cultural heritage changes over time. Weathering, wear, settlement, damage, repair history, and changes in the surrounding environment all cause the state to shift. Therefore, preserving an objective record of the appearance at a given point in time is a starting point for preservation and utilization.

Conventional current-condition records have centered on photography, hand measurements, and the creation of two-dimensional drawings. These remain important, of course, but when the target has complex three-dimensional shapes or covers a wide area, these methods can reach limits in terms of information volume and reproducibility. Using LiDAR measurement, you can retain three-dimensional information of building exteriors, stone walls, garden terrain, surface irregularities of ruins, and contours of stone artifacts, making it easier later to cut arbitrary cross-sections, check dimensions, and read shape characteristics.

For example, for a historic building, it becomes easier to grasp spatial information that is hard to capture with photos alone—such as the alignment of columns and beams, unevenness of floors, wall tilts, and relationships with roof shapes. For stone walls, you can record the orientation of each stone face, bulging of the whole wall, and its relationship with slopes in three dimensions. For sites such as burial mounds or castle ruins, it becomes easier to understand how subtle terrain features remain across an area, and to read terrain characteristics that were hard to notice on site.

An advantage of using LiDAR measurement for current-condition records is comprehensiveness. Even places overlooked on site can be checked later if they are included in the measurement data. This is especially useful when a different perspective is needed after the survey. If the survey purpose changes or another expert requests additional study, this can reduce the burden of revisiting. Since re-measurement can be difficult at many cultural heritage sites, there is great value in collecting as much information as possible in a single measurement.

However, for current-condition records, it is essential to organize what to record and at what accuracy. Measurement density and work planning change depending on whether the goal is to capture the overall shape or to record fine damage. As the target becomes larger, the burden of post-processing and data management increases, so it is important to align purpose and deliverables from the outset.

Use case 2 Grasp deterioration and deformation

In cultural heritage preservation, it is important to understand the current condition and detect signs of change early. LiDAR measurement is also effective for grasping deterioration and deformation. It is particularly suitable for phenomena that appear as shape changes, such as tilting, settlement, bulging, collapse, surface loss, and progression of wear.

For instance, in stone walls or masonry, judging whether a local surface observation indicates forward movement of the whole wall or a local bulge can be difficult. Using point cloud data from LiDAR measurement makes it easier to compare face shifts, protrusions, and cross-sectional shape differences. For historic buildings, three-dimensional data are useful materials for understanding deformations such as floor inclines, column tilts, and wall curvature.

For stone objects and sculptures, LiDAR measurement can be used to record the progression of wear and chipping. Of course, evaluating very fine surface conditions may require more detailed inspection or other recording methods, but for preserving overall shape, identifying the extent of major losses, and checking displacement trends, LiDAR measurement is helpful. Being able to present the current condition quantitatively makes it easier to advance preservation policy discussions without relying solely on subjective judgments.

Moreover, grasping deterioration and deformation is important as material to explain the need for repairs. Cultural heritage preservation involves many stakeholders, and objective evidence is often required for budgeting and decision-making. Three-dimensional data can sometimes explain shape changes more effectively than photos and make it easier to share the situation with stakeholders who have not seen the site. In particular, using different views such as cross-sections and plan overviews makes it intuitive to show dangerous areas and the extent of deformation.

On the other hand, if the goal is to monitor deformation, ongoing comparison rather than a single measurement is the premise. To compare previous and current data, coordinates and reference positions must be aligned and measurements taken under the same conditions. If this is ambiguous, it becomes hard to judge whether an apparent shift is a real change or due to measurement condition differences. To make the most of LiDAR measurement for monitoring deterioration of cultural heritage, you need to consider not only the initial measurement but also the subsequent operational design.

Use case 3 Support repair and restoration planning

In repair and restoration of cultural heritage, how accurately the current condition can be understood directly affects the quality of subsequent decisions. LiDAR measurement can be used as basic data to grasp the current condition in three dimensions before repair and to proceed with necessary planning.

For example, in building repair, being able to confirm the positional relationships of components, overall distortion of the building, sagging of floors and roofs, and wall deformations in three dimensions as well as on drawings makes it easier to identify where loads are concentrated and where to consider the repair scope. For stone walls and stone structures, recording shapes and masonry conditions before dismantling and repair provides useful reference material for restoration.

Repair and restoration often involve many meetings among stakeholders, not just on-site consideration. With three-dimensional data, even if stakeholders cannot gather frequently on site, they can more easily discuss while sharing the target’s condition. This is particularly effective when preservation staff, designers, and contractors belong to different organizations or positions. Because it reduces perception gaps between those who have seen the object and those who have not, it improves communication accuracy from the early stages of planning.

Also, deciding “how much intervention is appropriate” in repair is often difficult. While it is necessary to minimize intervention to avoid diminishing cultural value, safety and preservation must be ensured. Visualizing deformations, unevenness, and tilts with LiDAR measurement makes it easier to base repair policies on the actual shape rather than on subjective discussions.

Furthermore, the ability to compare pre- and post-repair states should not be overlooked. If you record the pre-repair, mid-construction, and post-repair states, it becomes easier to verify in later years what improvements were made and what shapes remain. In cultural heritage repair, recording history is important, and three-dimensional data are an effective means of accumulating that history.

Use case 4 Use in excavation surveys and feature recording

In buried cultural property surveys and feature investigations, the site condition changes in a short time. As excavation progresses, the previous state is lost. Therefore, it is extremely important to appropriately record each stage. LiDAR measurement has value in such excavation surveys and feature recording.

On excavation sites there is information that is hard to grasp with plan photos alone: surface irregularities of features, positional relationships among features, and connections with terrain. LiDAR measurement allows you to record the entire site’s three-dimensional situation, providing material to later check cross-sections and read micro-topography. The significance of three-dimensional information is especially large for shaft-type features, trench features, stepped surfaces, and undulating terrain.

Also, because investigations are divided into multiple stages, it is important to keep records in a form that allows stage-by-stage comparison. For example, if three-dimensional records are obtained at stages such as before excavation, after detection, after detailed study, and after completion, it becomes easier to track which information appeared during the investigation and what was removed. This helps improve the accuracy of reporting because spatial differences at each stage can be confirmed.

Objectivity of records is important in cultural heritage surveys. When a third party later examines field judgments or reinterprets findings from another research perspective, having three-dimensional data allows reconfirmation without relying solely on the surveyor’s sketches and text. This is useful not only academically but also from the perspective of administrative accountability.

However, introducing LiDAR measurement to excavation surveys requires coordination with site logistics and workflow. It is necessary to plan so that measurement can be performed at the required timing without obstructing progress. Also, the appearance of the data can vary with soil conditions, moisture, and sunlight, so selecting measurement methods appropriate to site conditions is important. Excavation surveys are often a race against time, so it is key to have a system that can acquire data quickly and record it with the required accuracy.

Use case 5 Expand into exhibition and educational outreach

LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage can be used not only for preservation and research but also for exhibition and educational outreach. In conveying the value of cultural heritage to society, being able to clearly present shapes and spatial characteristics to people who cannot visit the site has great significance.

For example, the complex internal structure of a building, areas with restricted access, and fragile stone objects that are difficult to observe closely may not be fully conveyed by the object alone. Using three-dimensional data from LiDAR measurement allows expressions such as changing viewing angles, showing cross-sections, and zooming to inspect details. This helps general visitors better understand structural features and preservation points of cultural heritage.

There is also room to utilize LiDAR in educational settings. In learning about cultural heritage, photos and text alone sometimes make it difficult to understand three-dimensional structures and spatial arrangements. Teaching materials based on three-dimensional data make it intuitive to learn about terrain undulation, building depth, and overlapping features. Especially for schools in remote locations or cultural properties with access restrictions for preservation reasons, three-dimensional records have value as educational resources.

Furthermore, three-dimensional data assist in exhibition planning. For example, they expand the scope of pre-planning for placing objects in an indoor exhibition space, coordinating explanatory panels, and verifying visitor flow–aware display strategies. To convey the appeal of cultural heritage, it is important not only to measure with high accuracy but also to think about which information to show to deepen understanding. LiDAR measurement functions as material creation for that purpose.

However, for exhibition and public presentation uses, combining shape data with color, texture, provenance, and historical background information is indispensable. LiDAR measurement provides a three-dimensional framework, and in public use its value is enhanced by layering other information. The appeal of cultural heritage does not end with shape alone, so success depends on how you narrativize three-dimensional data.

Use case 6 Emergency documentation and recovery materials for disasters

Cultural heritage is exposed to various disaster risks such as earthquakes, heavy rain, landslides, fire, and strong winds. When damage occurs, it is necessary to promptly record the current condition, grasp the extent of damage, and prepare materials for recovery planning. LiDAR measurement is powerful in such emergency response.

Immediately after a disaster, securing site safety is the top priority, but the situation can also change over time. Initial states can become unrecordable due to debris movement, emergency measures, or secondary damage. LiDAR measurement makes it easy to acquire a three-dimensional record of the entire target in a short time, preserving the reality of damage across a wide area. This becomes important baseline material for later causal analysis and recovery design.

For example, for historic buildings, LiDAR measurement helps grasp tilts, component displacements, roof collapse extents, and relationships with surrounding ground. For stone walls and steps, it is effective for recording collapse shapes and displacement conditions. For historic terrain, it becomes easier to capture collapsed slopes and eroded terrain changes across an area. Being able to acquire shape information from a distance when on-site access is limited is also an advantage for safety.

Also, if pre-disaster three-dimensional data exist, comparisons with post-disaster data make it easier to quantify changes. It becomes easier to identify which parts were lost, where large displacements occurred, and how stable conditions are after temporary measures—information that helps prioritize recovery. In disaster response for cultural heritage, decisions must be made with limited resources, so having comparable records is extremely valuable.

Furthermore, three-dimensional data are effective in damage explanation and coordination of support. They make it easier to share the situation with relevant departments, experts, and contractors involved in recovery, while reducing the number of site inspections necessary for discussion. To make use of LiDAR measurement in disasters, it is important in peacetime to consider which cultural properties to record, at what accuracy, and how to keep those records. Peacetime documentation forms the basis for emergency recovery.

Use case 7 Use for maintenance management and temporal comparison

Preserving cultural heritage is not a task that ends with a single recording. More important is tracking condition over long timeframes and determining when to take action. LiDAR measurement can be used to build systems for maintenance management and temporal comparison.

For example, measuring the same object annually and comparing point cloud data makes it easier to understand trends in shape change. You can check if the bulging of a stone wall is progressing slightly, whether the tilt of floors and columns in a building is advancing, or whether erosion or sedimentation of the ground surface is occurring. This is effective for capturing gradual changes that routine inspections might miss.

In maintenance management, it is important not only to know whether abnormalities exist but also to define how much change is acceptable and at what stage to conduct detailed investigation or repair. LiDAR measurement functions as objective information to support such decisions. Even when responsible personnel change, it is easier to hand over the situation by comparing with past data, contributing to continuity in long-term management.

Also, for large historic sites and outdoor cultural properties, changes in surrounding terrain and drainage can affect preservation. By using LiDAR measurement to capture not only the target but also the surrounding environment, it becomes easier to interpret which factors are causing deformation. Maintenance management of cultural heritage is often not about managing a single object but managing it in relation to its surroundings, so this perspective is important.

To succeed in temporal comparison, setting standards at the initial measurement is indispensable. If measurement positions shift each time or coordinate management is ambiguous, the reliability of comparisons declines. In other words, if you plan to use LiDAR measurement for maintenance management, design it as a continuous recording system rather than a one-off task. For long-term preservation of cultural heritage, the value lies more in an operational approach that accumulates comparable records than in a single spectacular measurement.

Points for successful LiDAR measurement of cultural heritage

To succeed with LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage, it is important to organize the purpose before selecting technology. Whether the goal is current-condition recording, deterioration monitoring, repair and restoration planning, or creating materials for exhibition, the required accuracy, range, and deliverables change. If you start measurement with ambiguous objectives, you may end up with data that are hard to use in practice.

Next, checking the conditions of the measurement target is important. Whether it is outdoor or indoor, large-scale or close-range, whether there are many obstacles, whether surfaces are highly reflective, and whether site safety can be assured—all these field conditions greatly affect measurement planning. Cultural heritage sites often involve entry or contact restrictions, so pre-coordination is even more important than in ordinary surveying scenes.

Defining deliverables is also essential. Clarifying from the beginning whether you need the point cloud data itself, cross-sectional drawings, floor plans and elevations, or a three-dimensional model for public release makes it easier to appropriately estimate downstream workload. In cultural heritage work, it is often the organizing, editing, interpreting, and sharing steps—rather than the measurement itself—that consume time.

Additionally, be mindful of coordinate management and reproducibility. Especially when planning for temporal comparisons or multiple measurements, manage reference position information appropriately so that later overlays can be made under the same conditions. At cultural heritage sites, carefully confirming reference points, target positions, and the positioning of surrounding records increases the value of LiDAR data.

Moreover, it is important not to treat LiDAR measurement as a standalone solution. Combining color records, provenance information, repair history, damage history, and surrounding environmental information increases the completeness of the cultural heritage record. Three-dimensional shape is very useful, but by itself it cannot fully convey the meaning or value of cultural heritage. In field practice, the success or failure depends on how multiple information types are integrated into a recording system.

Conclusion

LiDAR measurement for cultural heritage can be applied in a wide range of situations—current-condition recording, deterioration monitoring, repair and restoration planning, excavation surveys, exhibition and public use, disaster response, and maintenance management. What these uses have in common is the ability to capture cultural heritage objectively and three-dimensionally and to preserve it in a form that can be re-examined later. In the cultural heritage field, it is required to obtain necessary information while protecting the object, share it among stakeholders, and use it for long-term preservation. LiDAR measurement can be a powerful tool for that purpose.

At the same time, it is important to clarify not only “what LiDAR can measure” but also “why you measure.” When the objectives are organized, required accuracy, measurement scope, deliverables, and operational methods become clearer. In cultural heritage practice, designing measurements as records that can be used for preservation decisions, sharing, and future comparisons is more valuable than a one-off measurement.

Also, in the field it is important not only to manage three-dimensional measurement data but to manage their positional information stably. Securing baseline positions for the measurement range, accurately recording positions of photos and on-site confirmations, and creating an environment that allows quick identification of the same place in later re-measurements make LiDAR measurement results more usable. Especially when you want to streamline on-site coordinate confirmation, identification of control points, and positioning of surrounding records, combining high-precision GNSS devices such as LRTK that can be attached to an iPhone can help make fieldwork for cultural heritage surveys and preservation management smoother. Not treating LiDAR measurement as an isolated technology but organizing it together with on-site position confirmation and record operations is the shortcut to advancing cultural heritage preservation and utilization in practice.