# Disseminating the Past in 3D: O Corro dos Mouros and Its Ritual Landscape (Galicia, Spain)
## 1 Introduction  
### Digital Technologies in Archaeological Documentation  
Documenting heritage through visual, spatial, and topographic records is essential for its study, conservation, and dissemination [1, 2]. The digitization of data not only enhances accessibility and the dissemination of information but also allows professionals and the general public to access it quickly and easily [3, 4]. This technological transformation, driven in large part by the increase in computational capacity, has led to the proliferation of newworkflows and methodological approaches of great interest to archaeological research, enabling the fulfilment of heritage management needs [5].  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as essential tools for data capture in various archaeological contexts. Their technological evolution, marked by significant improvements in battery efficiency and equipment portability, has made them increasingly accessible and versatile [6]. In archaeology, UAVs enable the documentation of sites of interest in a completely non-invasive manner, preserving their original state [7]. A particularly relevant advancement has been the integration of LiDAR sensors into UAV platforms, exponentially expanding their applications by facilitating data capture in hard-to-reach areas or those with dense vegetation.  
Historically, LiDAR technology was limited to large-scale satellite or airborne platforms. However, its miniaturisation and adaptation to UAVs has radically transformed archaeological work, allowing not only the acquisition of high-precision topographic data but also the production of detailed audiovisual material of excavation contexts [8]. This evolution has been accompanied by numerous studies evaluating the performance of various low-cost UAVs equipped with different sensors and camera configurations for generating orthomosaics at archaeological sites [9].  
Among the most widely used digital techniques today are Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry [10; 11; 12]. Both technologies enable the generation of high-resolution, photorealistic 3D models [13; 14], far surpassing traditional documentation techniques in detail and accuracy [15]. However, in recent years, SfM photogrammetry has seen a notable rise in popularity compared to TLS, primarily due to its lower cost, operational versatility, and ability to work in hard-to-access areas [16; 17]. Its portability and ease of use also make it particularly suitable for remote or logistically challenging environments [18].  
While UAV-mounted LiDAR has revolutionised data capture in forested areas [19; 20], its combination with SfM techniques remains underexplored, especially in small-scale contexts where centimetre-level precision is crucial [21]. This technological synergy holds extraordinary potential for archaeological documentation, particularly in complex sites requiring exhaustive and non-invasive recording methodologies [22].  
SfM-MVS photogrammetry, thanks to its ability to generate photorealistic 3D models from overlapping images, has become an efficient and cost-effective alternative to terrestrial laser scanning [23]. However, the integration of this technique with UAV-borne LiDAR, which captures topographic data beneath vegetation or under adverse lighting conditions, remains in its early stages for specific archaeological contexts [21; 24].  
The development of standardised protocols for this technological integration represents a significant advancement in digital archaeological documentation [25]. These protocols not only optimise data capture and processing but also open new possibilities for spatial analysis, preventive conservation, and virtual heritage dissemination.