SCANNING THE STONE SEPULCHER: MULTIMODAL DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION OF ACTUN TUNICHIL MUCNAL

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is among the most visited archaeological caves in the Maya area and is well known for its striking physical characteristics and remarkably intact cultural deposits. Though well surveyed and studied, the cave and its many fragile and at-risk ritual offerings and features had not been digitally documented. A collaborative program of scanning was conducted in the summers of 2023 and 2024 using complementary imaging modalities across scales and resolutions. These included mobile LiDAR – which was ideally suited to the complex, partially flooded passageways and high, narrow chambers of the cave – as well as high-resolution structured-light scanning (of individual objects and features) and photogrammetry. Particular attention was given to the human skeletal remains and ceramic vessels that lie within close proximity to visitor routes within the cave. The result of this integrative approach is a fused multi-resolution digital twin of ATM that will not only serve as an accurate geometric record of the cave and its contents but will enable researchers to better visualize spatial contextual relationships and facilitate taphonomic analyses. An accessible, online, interactive version of the digital twin is being developed for guides and the interested public as well.