Photogrammetry Laser Scanning and Reverse Engineering Conrad’s Jewel

Abstract. Laser scanning, photogrammetry, and other technical tools are staples for cultural heritage documentation and reverse engineering projects. However, manufacturers and even researchers often conflate the data capture process with reverse engineering itself, even though the data alone cannot provide the insight needed for a full reverse engineering or understanding of the historic site. This paper illustrates how laser scanning and photogrammetric applications were used in reverse engineering the construction and details of Conrad’s Jewel, a 1908 Silver/Gold mill in the Yukon, Canada. Analogous to systems and software engineering fields, the reverse engineering process is framed by considering related designs, existing documentation, personal experience, and general external knowledge.