High-resolution documentation of historical structures using terrestrial laser scanning: Ürgüp, Turkey

The collective memory of societies is defined as cultural heritage. However, this heritage site is threatened by both natural and man-made factors and requires effective conservation and documentation. Traditional methods are often time-consuming and need faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective technologies. This study involved documentation of a historic masonry house in Urgup, Nevsehir, Turkey, using Terrestrial Laser Scanning. In this study, 9 external and 25 internal scanning positions were used, and the data were processed into 3D models, orthophotos, and other output sections. According to the results obtained, the measurement differences ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 cm with an average of 0.038 cm. This result confirms the reliability of the method and makes terrestrial LiDAR scanning invaluable for cultural heritage conservation despite its high cost and complex data processing. Supporting the method with precise architectural drawings sets a high standard for the documentation of historic stone structures and provides a solid foundation for future restoration work.