Exploring layers: 3D documentation of the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre

The contribution focus on the development and implementation of a 3D GIS-based documentation system for the archaeological excavation at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The system involved creating three-dimensional vectorizations of loci using Metashape and QGIS, allowing more accurate spatial and volumetric reconstructions of excavated features. These 3D shapefiles were linked to a custom-built geodatabase (GDBMS), facilitating the association of vector data with archaeological metadata (such as stratigraphy, materials, chronology, and locus cards). The project enabled a multidimensional analysis of partition walls, construction phases, and structural relationships through time. This approach proved essential for interpreting complex spatial contexts, planning conservation, and enhancing the understanding and presentation of the site’s historical development.