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The research presented here is part of an on-going research focused on the 3D documentation of rock-cut Underground Built Heritage with a complex morphology and characterised by narrow spaces, the Hypogeum of Calaforno (province of Ragusa, Sicily). It is one of the most interesting prehistoric monuments in Sicily in terms of size and unique rock-cut architecture. Various digital techniques have been tested over the years on the site, to represent its spatiality, such as Laser Scanner and Structure from Motion. The proposed methodological approach for the knowledge and the documentation of this archaeological site is based on an interdisciplinary approach involving archaeological and engineering disciplines. This paper focuses on the use of expeditious techniques such as iMMS (indoor Mobile Mapping Systems) based on SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) and on the comparison of different surveying equipment in order to verify data quality and accuracy, as well as the inherent advantages of using one technology over another in relation to the characteristics of the site. Through the global verification of TLS and SLAM model reliability, we maintain that such research can contribute to enriching the protocols surrounding the archaeological investigation of sites characterized by complex morphology, irregular surfaces, narrow spaces, specific chromatic features, scarce or total lack of lighting, and physical obstacles.

The article presents the results of a wider research carried out by a multidisciplinary group (archaeologists and engineers) of the University and the CNR-ISPC of Catania in the South-Western Quarter of the Minoan Palace of Phaistos (Crete). The article focuses on two digital survey campaigns carried out respectively in 2014, laser scanning, and 2019, Structure from Motion. Starting from the point cloud by laser scanner, the most recent, low cost and user-friendly photogrammetric tools (GoPro camera and software Agisoft Metashape) have been used during the 2019 campaign in order to update and to improve the previous dataset, which was used as a grid for georeferencing and scaling the new virtual model. Special attention was addressed to the comparison of the two datasets and to the reuse of the first one for georeferencing and scaling the second one. Furthermore, the research has been focused on the opportunity to exploit the obtained virtual model both for scientific purposes and for the outreach. The lack of accessibility of the South-Western Quarter of Phaistos Palace to the visitors attributes a special interest to this output. The virtual environment thus realized constituted an ideal starting point for the development of an educational fruition project based on a Serious Game approach. The cooperation of archaeologists and engineers in the development of the Phaistos game ensures a gaming experience not only pleasant but also provided with a strong educational profile.