What Can LiDAR Surveying of Cultural Heritage Do? 7 Use Cases Explained

In practical work related to the conservation and investigation of cultural properties, it is important to record objects as accurately as possible and to preserve those records in a form that allows for comparisons over time. Cultural properties encompass a wide range of subjects—stone structures, buildings, ruins, gardens, ancient roads, wall decorations, and so on—but they all share the characteristic that once they are lost or deformed, their original condition cannot be fully restored. For this reason, interest in methods for recording the current condition with high reproducibility has been growing year by year.

LiDAR measurement is therefore attracting attention. LiDAR is a technology that continuously acquires the distance to a target and records the shape of space as three-dimensional data. Because it can record surface irregularities, depth, and wide-area spatial relationships that are difficult to capture in photographs as a single dataset, its use in the cultural heritage field is increasing. In particular, in recent years it has come to be required to be operated in field-oriented ways across a wide range of practical work — including surveying, conservation, restoration, exhibition, education, and disaster response — rather than remaining a technology handled only by a limited number of specialized institutions as in the past.

On the other hand, many practitioners have concerns about LiDAR surveying, saying things like, "I understand what it can do, but it's hard to see how it will actually be useful in the field of cultural heritage," "Will it just end with creating a 3D model?" and "How should it be linked to drawings and reports?" Therefore, in this article we organize, from a practical perspective and with case studies, what can actually be done with LiDAR surveying of cultural heritage. To help with adoption decisions, rather than merely introducing the technology, we provide concrete explanations of in which situations and what kinds of value it delivers.

Table of Contents

• Reasons why LiDAR surveying of cultural heritage is gaining attention

• Basics to Keep in Mind for LiDAR Surveying of Cultural Heritage

• Use case 1 Record and preserve the current state in three dimensions

• Use Case 2: Useful for comparing and confirming deterioration and deformation

• Use case 3: Make it a common document for restoration plans and stakeholder consultations

• Use Case 4: Streamline drawing creation and cross-section verification

• Use Case 5: Leveraging for Public Access and Development of Educational Materials

• Use case 6 Preparing for emergency documentation after disasters and accidents

• Use Case 7: Improving survey accuracy by combining wide-area coverage and fine detail

• How to successfully carry out LiDAR surveys of cultural heritage

• Summary

Reasons LiDAR Surveying of Cultural Heritage Is Attracting Attention

In surveys of cultural heritage, balancing accuracy with non-contact methods is important. This is because it is necessary to record objects without placing any load on them and to preserve their current condition as much as possible. Contact measurements and flat, two-dimensional photographs alone may not adequately capture fine shapes and three-dimensional relationships. Especially for complex carved surfaces, weathered stone, sloping terrain, and overlapping structures, visual impressions often do not match the actual shape, and it is necessary to preserve records in a form that can be verified later.

The reason LiDAR measurements are valued is that they can record the entire space in three dimensions for this purpose. Because they capture not only the individual object but also its relationship with the surrounding environment, it becomes easier to document the terrain conditions and spatial arrangements in which cultural properties are situated. This is useful not only for the conservation of buildings but also for understanding the environments surrounding cultural properties, such as sequences of stone steps, the undulations of archaeological remains, the condition of approach paths and slopes, and the positional relationships with protective facilities.

Also, in cultural heritage practice it is not uncommon for staff to change and for projects to span long timeframes from investigation through restoration, management, and public access. In such cases, if the current condition is preserved as three-dimensional data, future staff can more easily verify past conditions using the same standards. The great value of LiDAR surveying is that it enables the accumulation of shareable records instead of relying on the memories of those familiar with the site.

Furthermore, in recent years, it has become necessary not only to store survey results as internal documents but also, from the perspectives of accountability and public use, to present them in a way that is easily understandable to stakeholders and general visitors. Content that is difficult to convey with plans and text alone becomes easier to understand when three-dimensional information is available. In this way, the fact that a single data platform can readily address multiple purposes—preservation, comparison, explanation, and sharing—is the background to the growing attention to LiDAR measurement in the cultural heritage field.

Basics to Keep in Mind for LiDAR Surveying of Cultural Properties

When using LiDAR surveying on cultural heritage, it is important to first distinguish between situations that require capturing high-resolution geometry and those that aim to understand spatial relationships. For example, if you want to examine in detail the wear on the surface of a stone Buddha or the remaining carved lines, versus if you want to grasp the overall layout of a group of site features, the required survey density and the way you work on site will differ. If you conduct surveys without a clear purpose, you can end up increasing data volume without producing results that are actually useful.

Also, LiDAR surveying is not foolproof. Depending on surface color and material, confined spaces, obstructions, lighting conditions, access constraints such as scaffolding, and how vegetation covers surfaces, some areas are easy to capture while others are difficult to capture. In other words, measurement results are not determined solely by instrument performance but are greatly influenced by site conditions and the measurement plan. On sites such as cultural heritage assets where re-measurement after a single operation is difficult, the quality of pre-survey checks directly affects the outcome.

Even more important is not to treat three-dimensional data as "collect it and be done." Whether it will be used in reports, as the basis for restoration drawings, for comparisons over time, or for educational displays affects the necessary processing and management methods. If you anticipate the final use before the survey, it becomes easier to design the acquisition coverage and resolution, the supplementary photographs required, and how to capture coordinates.

In LiDAR surveying of cultural heritage, operational reproducibility is as important as accuracy. It is essential that anyone can understand the same spatial relationships, that surveys can be compared across different times, and that data can be linked to site photographs and drawings. Therefore, rather than simply producing a high-density point cloud, you need to decide from which positions, in what order, and according to which reference standards the data will be recorded. With these basics in mind, let's look at concrete use cases.

Use Case 1: Record and Preserve the Current Situation in Three Dimensions

The most representative use is to record and preserve the current condition of cultural properties in three dimensions as faithfully as possible. Cultural properties are continuously affected by aging and natural environmental influences, so accurately preserving their present state is itself of great significance. Photographs are effective for recording appearance, but viewpoints tend to be limited and there are limits to quantitatively preserving depth and the relationships of shapes. With LiDAR measurement, the shape itself can be stored as spatial information, making it easier to review from different viewpoints later or to re-examine with a sense of scale.

For example, with stone objects you can capture not only the overall shape but also the inclination of surfaces, the locations of damaged or missing parts, the progression of weathering, and how they interface with the surrounding ground as a single whole. For buildings, you can record columns, wall surfaces, floor surfaces, and their continuity with outdoor spaces. For archaeological features, you can grasp excavation surfaces and subtle microtopographic undulations three-dimensionally rather than only in plan. This allows future investigations to refer more objectively to "what the condition was at the time."

The value of records of the current condition extends beyond preservation and management. For example, they are also suitable for documenting the condition at key milestones—such as comparisons before and after construction, verification of the original condition before public exhibition, records before relocation, and records before the installation of protective structures. Decisions concerning cultural properties are often later required to be explained. In such cases, three-dimensional records make it easier to provide explanations grounded in the object's shape and arrangement rather than mere impressions.

In other words, the primary value of LiDAR surveying is to preserve the "now" of cultural heritage in a form that can be carried into the future. If you think of this not simply as digitization but as preparing baseline materials that can be compared across time, the rationale for its adoption becomes clearer.

Use Case 2: Useful for Comparing and Verifying Deterioration and Deformation

In cultural heritage conservation, it is extremely important not only to know the current condition but also to understand how it has changed compared with the past. Abrasion of stone, surface delamination, settlement, tilting, changes in shape around cracks, and slight undulations of the ground can all be overlooked by routine visual inspections. Even when taking fixed-point photographs, a small difference in shooting angle or distance can change the impression, so careful methods are required for precise comparison.

Repeating LiDAR measurements according to consistent standards makes it easier to compare data collected at different times. The important thing is not simply to measure twice, but to record the data in a comparable form. By standardizing the approach to alignment, the measurement extent, supplementary photographs, and the way surrounding reference points are established, you can more objectively determine whether changes have occurred. This allows earlier identification of locations where deterioration is progressing and makes it easier to consider the necessary maintenance measures.

Especially for cultural heritage, even small amounts of change can be significant. For example, even a slight progression of tilt can affect future collapse risk assessments, and even localized changes in surface shape can provide material for considering how water moves and the effects of freeze-thaw. LiDAR measurement lays the foundation for capturing such changes not as 'intuition' but as 'comparable shape differences'.

Moreover, verifying changes is not only for experts. It is also effective when explaining the situation to people in different roles—administrators, preservation staff, construction personnel, and local stakeholders. Because it enables a three-dimensional sharing of where, how, and why problems exist, it becomes easier for them to understand the need for countermeasures. From the perspective of long-term management, LiDAR surveying is valuable not as a one-off investigation but as a recording method that supports ongoing preservation decision-making.

Use Case 3: Make it a shared document for restoration planning and stakeholder consultations

Decisions about the restoration and conservation measures for cultural properties are not something that should proceed based on a single person's judgment. Conservation staff, investigation staff, construction personnel, managers, and, in some cases, external experts all need to confer while looking at the same subject.

However, in practice, the number of people who can attend the site may be limited, and relying only on drawings or photographs can lead to differences in understanding.

The three-dimensional data obtained by LiDAR measurements serves as a shared resource to bridge these differences in perception. Because you can move between the overall view of the subject and local conditions within the same dataset, it becomes easier to discuss questions such as "which parts should be prioritized for preservation," "how far should repair areas extend," and "what relationships exist with surrounding structures." The value of three-dimensional information is particularly high for cultural properties with complex terrain or intricate structures, since it is difficult to establish a common understanding through on-site explanations alone.

Restoration planning requires consideration not only of the object itself but also of the workflow, scaffolding plans, scope of protective coverings, interference with surrounding facilities, and routes for bringing materials and equipment in and out. LiDAR measurements make it easier to understand the space including these surrounding conditions and can reduce oversights at the planning stage. For proceeding with work without damaging cultural properties, spatial understanding prior to construction is extremely important.

Furthermore, the three-dimensional data shared during the consultation phase can be reused for post-construction verification and reporting. Because it makes it easier to organize, in chronological order, what state the site started in and what measures were taken, it is useful both for internal management and for external explanations. LiDAR measurements are effective not only for on-site work but also as foundational material that supports stakeholder consensus building.

Use Case 4: Streamline Drawing Creation and Cross-Section Verification

In cultural heritage surveys, various drawing materials—such as plan views, elevations, sections, and development drawings—are required. However, when attempting to record complex terrain or irregular subjects primarily by hand, the on-site measurement burden increases and organizing the materials becomes time-consuming. Having to return to the site for additional verification can further reduce the overall efficiency of the survey.

One of the major advantages of LiDAR surveying is that, using the acquired three-dimensional data, it becomes easy to inspect cross-sections at required locations. For example, information that is difficult to grasp from plan views alone—such as the bulging of stone walls, step differences of base platforms, the depth of excavations of archaeological features, the interface between slopes and cultural properties, and elevation differences around structures—can be more easily organized in cross-section. This helps reduce the risk that areas missed during on-site measurements will become problematic later.

Also, when producing drawings of cultural properties, it is important not only to tidy their appearance but also to specify which parts were described according to which standards. By utilizing LiDAR surveying, it becomes easier to organize while clarifying datum planes and reference positions, and to establish the correspondence between the drawings and the as-built conditions. Of course verification and corrections are necessary to produce final deliverables, but increasing the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the baseline data makes it easier to stabilize the entire drafting process.

Especially at sites with limited personnel, being able to reduce long hours of on-site work and shift the emphasis to indoor review and processing is a significant advantage. Surveys of cultural heritage are often constrained by season, weather, and public opening schedules, so being able to reliably bring back the necessary information within the limited on-site working time translates into practical value.

Use Case 5: Applying to Public Use and the Development of Educational Materials

Records of cultural heritage do not exist solely for preservation. They also play an important role in conveying their value as local resources, supporting educational use, and helping visitors better understand them. However, in reality there are many things that can only be understood by visiting the site, and photographs and text alone sometimes fail to fully convey their three-dimensional appeal and the interesting aspects of their structure.

Three-dimensional information obtained by LiDAR measurements serves as a recording basis well suited to such public use. This is because it makes it easier to present an overview of the subject, to understand it from angles that are usually hard to see, and to explain it including its relationship with the surrounding terrain. For example, the arrangement of stone structures, the spatial composition of buildings, the extent of remains, and the undulations of gardens are often easier to understand when shown three-dimensionally than with planar materials.

In educational settings, it is also effective as supplementary material when studying cultural properties that are difficult to handle in person or are located in remote areas. In particular, three-dimensional information is useful for conveying the value of cultural properties not simply as "old objects" but from the perspective of "what kind of structure they have and in what environment they exist." This makes it easier to communicate to non-specialists the need for preservation and the significance of research.

Also, recording data with the intent of public use can contribute to future exhibition updates and the creation of interpretive materials. Cultural heritage preservation advances on two pillars: protecting and communicating. LiDAR surveys have a wide range of applications as intermediary documentation that supports both.

Use Case 6 Preparing for Emergency Documentation After Disasters and Accidents

Cultural properties are exposed to a variety of risks, including earthquakes, heavy rainfall, landslides, fires, fallen trees, and rockfalls. When disasters or accidents occur, it is necessary to quickly assess the extent of the damage and document it while preventing secondary harm. However, in emergencies safety is the highest priority, and it is often difficult to carry out thorough investigations; afterwards, people may feel that they should have recorded the condition at that time more accurately.

LiDAR measurements also prove powerful in such emergency documentation situations. If the condition immediately after a disaster can be recorded in three dimensions, it aids in examining recovery plans, comparing before-and-after conditions of collapse or landslides, and explaining the situation to stakeholders. In particular, the ability to grasp scattered debris, the extent of collapse, and their relationship with the surrounding terrain as a whole is a strength that photo-centered records do not have. By capturing the situation broadly from a safe position and, when necessary, recording key areas in detail, it becomes easier to produce effective documentation even under limited conditions.

Also, by conducting regular LiDAR surveys not only after disasters but also during normal times, you can establish a baseline for comparison when an emergency occurs. Records taken only after a disaster can make it difficult to show "where and how much" things have changed, but with pre-event data it becomes easier to objectively grasp the extent and magnitude of damage. This is useful not only for emergency response but also for medium- to long-term recovery planning.

In the field of cultural heritage, the quality of emergency response greatly affects subsequent conservation policies. LiDAR surveying can be regarded as a means to support both peacetime documentation for disaster preparedness and rapid situational awareness in emergencies.

Use Case 7 Combining Broad-area and Fine-scale Observations to Improve Survey Accuracy

In cultural heritage surveys, it is often insufficient to examine only the fine details of the object itself. For example, when investigating stone structures, the surrounding ground conditions and drainage are also important, and when investigating buildings, the site's topography and its spatial relationships with the surroundings cannot be ignored. For archaeological features, not only the form of an individual element but also its connections with surrounding features and its relationship to the terrain influence interpretation. In other words, both broad-area understanding and detailed examination are required.

The strength of LiDAR surveying is that it makes it easy to combine these two perspectives within the same investigation. First you capture a wide area to grasp the overall structure, and then you confirm important parts at high density, which makes it easier to understand the subject’s positioning and local characteristics as an integrated whole. In cultural heritage practice, judging a site in isolation can lead to mistakes. By looking at the surrounding circulation routes, water flow, slope orientation, and the placement of protective structures, preservation challenges often only then become clear.

Also, recording links between the broader view and the details increases persuasiveness when preparing reports and explaining things to stakeholders. This is because it makes it easier to show which parts are important within the whole and why those areas were checked with particular emphasis. It also contributes to the reusability of the survey results. Even if another person in charge looks at it later, they can more easily understand where the local data fits within the overall picture.

LiDAR surveying of cultural heritage should not be merely aimed at producing finely detailed three-dimensional models; it is important to adopt workflows that capture the overall context of the site while connecting the necessary detailed information. By adopting this mindset, surveying is more likely to function as an investigative method that supports practical decision-making rather than as a one-off technical task.

How to Successfully Carry Out LiDAR Measurements of Cultural Properties

To successfully carry out LiDAR surveying of cultural heritage, the starting point is to first clarify the objective. Depending on whether the primary purpose is preservation of the current condition, improving the efficiency of drawing production, monitoring changes over time, or creating documentation for restoration consultations, the required measurement density and coverage will vary. If you proceed with an unclear objective, even if you are able to collect large amounts of data in the field, it will be difficult to make effective use of it in subsequent stages.

The next important step is to check the site conditions. Cultural heritage sites can have constraints different from typical surveying sites, such as restricted access, conservation-related limitations, vegetation, level changes, confined spaces, lighting, and surrounding land use. Therefore, you need to organize in advance where access is possible, which positions are likely to create blind spots, where to take supplementary photos, and which areas to prioritize recording. Reducing hesitation on site helps lower the risk of having to re-measure.

Furthermore, the handling of coordinates and location information is also important. If you focus only on recording the shapes of cultural properties, it can later become difficult to correlate them with the actual site. This is especially true for extensive archaeological remains or outdoor cultural properties: clarifying exactly where the data were recorded makes year-to-year comparisons and cross-checking with other materials easier. Preparing not only the quality of the three-dimensional data itself but also related information—photos, field notes, location information, survey date, and the survey extent—together is the key to producing usable results.

You should also plan in advance how the data will be organized after acquisition. If it is decided who will review it, in what format it will be shared, and what it will be used for, you will be less likely to end up with unnecessarily large datasets or redundant coverage. For LiDAR surveying of cultural heritage, it is not an exaggeration to say that outcomes are determined more by setting objectives and designing how the data will be used than by the measurement itself. It is important to proceed with a view that covers the fieldwork, processing, sharing, and future use.

Summary

The capabilities of LiDAR surveying for cultural heritage extend beyond mere 3D digitization. They include accurately recording and preserving the current state, comparing and confirming deterioration and deformation, serving as shared reference materials for restoration planning and stakeholder consultations, streamlining drawing production and section verification, applying the data to public engagement and educational materials, preparing emergency records for disasters or accidents, and enhancing survey accuracy by combining wide-area and fine-detail investigations. The important point is to position LiDAR surveying not as a standalone technology but as a recording foundation for protecting, understanding, and transmitting cultural heritage.

In practice, however, three-dimensional data alone does not complete everything. Organizing positional information is also indispensable—such as which spots were measured on site, how to link the data to past records, and how to correlate photos and drawings. This is especially true for outdoor cultural heritage and extensive archaeological features, where verifying control points, managing survey/photography positions, and ensuring the accuracy of simple on-site positioning determine the ease of use in subsequent workflows.

In such situations, combining LiDAR measurement with an operation that can quickly and accurately capture on-site location information helps stabilize field operations. For example, using an LRTK high-precision GNSS receiver that can be attached to a smartphone makes it easier to streamline coordinate verification at survey points, recording photo capture locations, supplementary simple surveying, and on-site positioning tasks. If you want to preserve LiDAR measurements of cultural properties not merely as three-dimensional data acquisition but as reusable records linked to site coordinates, combining these methods makes it easier to organize the workflow from surveying through processing to sharing in a more practical way. To ensure cultural properties are reliably passed on to the future, having a perspective that considers LiDAR measurement and location information management together will become increasingly important in the field.