Scanning, modelling and dissemination of the interior appearance of wooden historic churches in the Maramures region of Romania

Abstract

In the Maramureș region of Romania there is a large number of historic wooden churches dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. These objects of tangible cultural heritage continue to be exposed to degradation factors. Meanwhile, their interiors hide important and historically valuable artefacts of cultural heritage. Their loss would noticeably impoverish the heritage of local communities. This article presents the problems of 3D scanning the interiors of wooden historic churches, the scanning methodology specifically developed for this occasion, the equipment used and its parameters, and the results of its application. Four examples of wooden churches from the Maramureș region were studied: modern laser scanning technologies with appropriate selection of parameters permits a satisfactorily precise scan of the interior of a wooden religious building, even in difficult lighting conditions. The methodology and equipment choice was proven to be successful and is recommended here for future projects in the region and for structures facing similar challenges.