3Dino: Configuration for a Micro-Photogrammetric Survey: Applying Dino-Lite microscope for the digitalization of a cuneiform tablet

Close-range photogrammetry, due to the possibilities offered by the technological evolution of acquisition tools and, above all, the relative original challenges posed to surveyors and the theory of measurements, deserve constant critical attention. The new opportunities to detect and represent reality are mostly focused on historical architecture, referring to consequent orders of magnitude and restitution scales. On the other hand, the formalization of relevant practices for very small objects is not frequently addressed. In recent tests carried out using two Dino-Lite handheld digital microscope models, polarized light digital microscopes generally used in medical and industrial fields, we proved the potential of using these imaging systems also for Cultural Heritage documentation, highlighting, however, some issues related to the depth of field and the consequent acquisition geometry. Therefore, this study aims to solve these problems, increasing the performance of microscopic photogrammetry by optimizing the acquisition procedures with the design of custom accessories for micro-photogrammetry (e.g. a calibrated plate). These developments will be carried out as part of a technology transfer agreement with the Dino-Lite company pointed to codify a protocol for high accuracy photogrammetric documentation of small artefacts.