One of the main factors affecting the application of photogrammetric techniques to 3-D modeling is the degree of the space limitations imposed by nearby objects. Numerous studies show the reliability of structure from motion (SFM) when the object is located in a large and accessible space; however, when applying this technique to a particular case, the shooting must be adapted to the peculiarities of each location. This article presents the photogrammetric documentation of façades of different urban typologies, focusing on the photo-shoot arrangement that best enables us to solve the geometrical peculiarities for each case. The historic center of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) has been chosen for this study. Four representative cases of different urban typologies were selected: “significant façade,” “façade on a standard street,” “very narrow street” (width/height < 1/3), and “façade with arcades”. All have been resolved satisfactorily, having obtained relative errors between 1/770 and 1/1040.

Cultural heritage in coastal or shallow aquatic environments is often located in areas where access is difficult or where accurate survey and documentation may not always be possible with terrestrial or aquatic equipment. The combination of photogrammetry and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) generates a range of possibilities across multiple sectors, including history, ethnography and cultural heritage studies. Additionally, these methods can be used to prospect new archaeological sites. This article presents three case studies that use UAV techniques and Structure from Motion and Multiview Stereo (SfM‐MVS) photogrammetry to conduct topographic and geometric registrations of archaeological, historical and ethnographic sites (some of which are classified as cultural heritage sites). These examples are located in coastal or shallow aquatic environments that are difficult to survey with traditional methods. The results show that it is possible to carry out detailed geometric registration and heritage prospection over large coastal or shallow aquatic environments using a low‐cost UAV. Furthermore, the results of this work show great advantages in terms of cost and quality, even in cases where the seabed is below a shallow water column. Other particularities of SfM‐MVS application in aquatic environments are discussed. From an interdisciplinary perspective, this methodology will offer new possibilities for the study, restoration and conservation of archaeological, historical and ethnographic monuments.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of multispectral imaging via Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), in combination with advanced digital image processing techniques, for the detection and mapping of archaeological sites within diverse landscapes. The research focuses on six case studies located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, a region marked by complex vegetation patterns and varying topography. The primary objective is to assess the potential of these non-invasive remote sensing techniques in identifying crop marks associated with buried structures from ancient, fortified settlements. By means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and vegetation indices, the study aims to pinpoint areas of interest that may indicate the presence of archaeological features, while effectively distinguishing them from modern disturbances or natural terrain variations. The research encountered several challenges, including seasonal variations in crop conditions and recent land-use changes. The methodology successfully identified distinct archaeological features. In some instances, natural vegetation variability, typically seen as an obstacle, enhanced the visibility of crop marks, aiding in the detection of underlying structures. These results offer a cost-effective and scalable option for preliminary archaeological surveys, particularly in refining survey methodologies and guiding future excavation efforts aimed at uncovering and preserving ancient, fortified settlements in the region.