Photogrammetry is a method of surveying an object, a structure or even an entire site in three dimensions. After an initial phase of acquiring a large number of photographs (large coverage area), a second phase consists of analysing and processing these images using software that will reconstruct the volume using algorithms. Combined with measurements, photogrammetry makes it possible to obtain images to scale in two or three dimensions. Based on the principle of paralaxis and stereoscopy, this method is particularly useful for digitising objects or archaeological sites. Thanks to developments in this field, it is now possible to produce 3D reconstructions of remains in record time, so that researchers can return to them, work on them, take measurements and so on.

This technique is being developed in all disciplines, from cave art to urban archaeology and the study of excavated objects. It is also opening up new fields of study, such as deep-sea submarine deposits, where photogrammetry is tending to replace manual drawings.