PHOTOGRAMMETRIC RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LATE JURASSIC CLEVELAND-LLOYD DINOSAUR QUARRY OF CENTRAL UTAH

Photogrammetry has long been utilized to digitize archaeological artifacts and, relatively recently, paleontological remains and trackways. This study uses photogrammetric techniques to digitize the Late Jurassic Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry (CLDQ) in the Morrison Formation of Emery County, Utah in three dimensions. In May of 2013, a photogrammetric test model was produced using over 700 photos. Due to a considerable lack of photo quality and the absence of a systematic approach to capturing photographic data, the model lacked detail, voiding visibility to most exposed fossils. Furthermore, portions of the quarry were distorted as a result of uneven lighting, mobile objects obstructing visibility, and altered camera settings. Noting these errors, a field manual was constructed using a systematic approach to maintain control and offer suggestions for supplies, lighting, placement of capture reference markers, photograph angles, and other such drawbacks encountered during previous photography. In June of 2014, the prepared methodical approach was applied to CLDQ’s north Butler building. The resulting model utilized over 1,000 photos taken from systematically-determined distances at 0^o, 45^o, and 90^o, accounting for 125 vertebrate fossil elements. The updated 3D model provides considerably fine detail, accounting for in-situ fossil orientation along with burial depth. This information may be useful in reconstructing the order of depositional events that led to the genesis of this famous Jurassic death assemblage.