## 7 Discussion
### Technical Aspects of This Methodology
Consequently, their use must be guided by rigorous scientific criteria and ethical principles that consider the sustainability, accessibility, and integrity of heritage. From an economic and operational perspective, one of the main challenges is the high initial cost associated with acquiring the necessary equipment (such as laser scanners, total stations, drones, and professional software licences), as well as with technical training and personnel mobility. Although these costs can be amortised through repeated use of the equipment and reuse of the data generated, they represent a significant barrier for many projects with limited funding, particularly in institutional contexts with fewer resources. On the other hand, digital methods may require a more time-intensive initial phase for data capture and processing. However, they offer a clear operational advantage in the subsequent stages of analysis, editing, and the generation of derivative products. The ability to revisit already recorded data without the need to return to the site constitutes a considerable saving in both logistical and economic terms. It is also important to consider the need for high-performance hardware and specialised software, which can limit access to these methodologies in environments with less developed digital infrastructure. Additionally, the longevity and management of digital data raise critical questions as technological obsolescence, proprietary software formats, reliance on commercial licences, and the need for secure storage all demand clear digital preservation policies that ensure the integrity, interoperability, and accessibility of information in the medium and long term. The selection of the technological tools used in this project, including 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, GNSS positioning, and specialised post-processing software, was based on a rigorous assessment of the specific needs of the Benzu cave and rock shelter site. The integration of these technologies responds to the particular challenges of the environment,such as visibility and accessibility conditions, the fragility of the structures, and the need to obtain high-precision digital models through non-invasive methods. The Leica RTC360 3D laser scanner was selected not only for its technical specifications but especially for its ability to capture topographic and geomorphological details with millimetric precision [67; 68; 69; 70]. This level of accuracy is essential in environments such as the Benza cave, where conventional recording techniques are limited by low natural light and the morphological complexity of the space. Nevertheless, it is important to note that despite its high performance, this technology presents certain limitations, mainly related to the high cost of the equipment and the need for specialised technical training for its proper use and interpretation. Regarding scanning parameters, the Leica RTC360 offers specific configurations that allow data capture to be adapted to different contexts and objectives. Among these, the ability to select the quality level of the point cloud--available in low, medium, and high settings--is particularly notable as it directly affects the density of the acquired points. This density is influenced both by the proximity of objects to the scanner and by the level of detail required. The choice of quality setting must consider the type of object to be documented and the environmental conditions. The high-quality configuration enables the capture of large volumes of points per second in 360\({}^{\circ}\) sweeps, with a range exceeding 150 m. However, in contexts where the elements of interest are located at relatively short distances, this option may generate redundant or unnecessary data from peripheral areas. For this reason, the medium and low settings are sometimes preferable as they focus on nearby elements and reduce density in more distant areas. In the specific case of the Benza cave, the high-quality setting was selected in order to generate a detailed topography of the interior of the cavity.