Preserving the Past for an Uncertain Future

Digital heritage techniques such as photogrammetry and laser scanning are revolutionizing the way we can record, analyze, and disseminate 3D information about cultural heritage sites around the world. However, the expense and expertise required to conduct digital heritage work limits access to these exciting techniques, and furthers the divide between stakeholder groups to create artificial silos for “knowledge brokers” and “knowledge consumers.” In this paper, we explore low-cost, simple technological, software, and Web3D solutions to build truly accessible digital heritage pipelines to democratize the field of digital heritage and return agency to previously disenfranchised stakeholder groups. Not only is this important from an equity standpoint, but it is required if we wish to digitally document as many heritage site as possible in the face of ever-increasing threats from climate change, social unrest, and natural disasters.