Mapping megaliths in 3D: digital tools for archaeology
Megalithic architecture refers to ancient structures built using large stones, often assembled without mortar. These impressive monuments are some of the earliest examples of human engineering and community organization. These monuments help researchers piece together how ancient communities lived, worked, and interacted with their environment. Today, advanced technologies like 3D modeling and photogrammetry are making it easier to document and analyze these structures.
The megaliths of Akkar
At the University of Geneva, researchers and students from the Laboratory of Prehistoric Archaeology and Anthropology are investigating megaliths in Northern Lebanon. The site is located near the village of Menjez in Lebanon’s Akkar region, where a remarkable funerary complex of approximately 100 tombs—dating from the 4th and 3rd millenia BC provides valuable insight into the practices of prehistoric societies.
The MEG-A project (Megaliths of Akkar) is headed by Tara Steimer, from the University of Geneva, and Zuzanna Wygnańska, from the Polish Academy of Sciences. In 2024, the team extended their research to northern Jordan, near Irbid, where they launched the Dolmens Project and a student training camp. Both initiatives aim to study megalithic architecture by capturing each structure as a unique 3D model in high resolution. To date, 45 monuments in Lebanon and 30 in Jordan have been recorded.
Improving archeaological fieldwork with digital survey tools
Accurately documenting archaeological sites in remote or rugged landscapes is a complex task. While traditional survey methods using cameras, booms, and drones have proven effective, they can be difficult to deploy in challenging terrain like the basalt fields of Akkar in northern Lebanon. Transporting heavy equipment over uneven ground is often impractical, especially when time is limited and multiple sites need to be documented.
To address these challenges, the lightweight, smartphone-based workflow of PIX4Dcatch offers real-time visual feedback during capture and allows the team to create a 3D model of the structure. Each time an excavation is finished, they walk around the site with an iPhone and scan using PIX4Dcatch with an RTK device for geolocation accuracy, saving valuable time.
The real-time visualization feature also ensured complete coverage before leaving each site. In the end, Pix4D tools made it possible to document more monuments, faster, and with less risk—an invaluable asset for both research and education in the field. They can then rework the generated 3D model in Geneva—cut it, make sections, profiles, cross-sections, and create floor plans and drawings of the monuments.
Digital tools for heritage preservation
By combining 3D modeling, aerial photography, and meticulous excavation work, the archaeologists have built a detailed database that allows them to map each megalithic tomb in Menjez with remarkable precision. Their in-depth analysis has already revealed three distinct types of structures among the tombs of Menjez, shedding new light on the techniques and practices of the ancient builders.
*The above video is by SciencEscape featuring the MEG-A project, uncovering the ancient megalithic tombs of Menjez, Lebanon. You can see PIX4Dcatch used to document the stones just after the 11-minute mark! *
For the team, this research project is about more than scientific discovery — it’s also about preserving and promoting archaeological heritage. The inclusion of the Menjez megaliths on the Council of Europe’s Megalithic Route is a key step in that mission, helping to raise awareness, attract support, and connect the site to a broader cultural network. Through this recognition, the team hopes to make the megalithic heritage a foundation for Menjez’s socio- economic development.
