Advanced survey technologies for Moroccan traditional earthen architecture: Documenting the Ksar of Tamnougalt

This research explores the use of fast-survey technologies and digital tools to document and preserve traditional earthen architecture, focusing on the Ksar of Tamnougalt in Morocco’s Drâa Valley as a case study. Situated along the historic Trans-Saharan trade route, this village holds significant historical and cultural significance despite its partial abandonment. In this context, the study aims to emphasize the importance of documenting and safeguarding this heritage, given the vulnerability of earthen materials to degradation and destruction. A detailed site survey was conducted using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) to capture both large-scale morphology and intricate architectural details. The resulting high-resolution, morphometrically rich database enabled the production of accurate 2D drawings, which facilitated detailed graphical analyses and a deeper understanding of the buildings and their components. The research explores techniques to represent traditional architecture's material quality and morphological complexity while preserving the metric reliability of traditional drawings, photogrammetric models, 3D point clouds, and models for innovative descriptive systems. This documentation process not only digitally preserves the architectural peculiarities and traditional building techniques of this historical site, but also provides a valuable resource for future research and conservation efforts. The study highlights the crucial role of digital technologies in heritage preservation, demonstrating the potential of fast-survey techniques in the documentation and management of vernacular earthen structures and contributing to broader discussions on heritage conservation and technological innovation.