THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF DOLMEN CULTURE SITES IN THE KRASNODAR TERRITORY AND THE CREATION OF A DIGITAL TWIN OF THE SHAPSUG DOLMEN

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study on the spatial distribution of dolmen culture sites in the Krasnodar Territory as well as the first stage of work on creating a digital twin of the Shapsug Dolmen cultural heritage site. The research aims to analyze the spatial arrangement of megalithic monuments and test the methodology for creating their digital models. Methodologically, the study is based on a cartographic analysis, performed to identify the spatial distribution of dolmen objects. For this purpose, the authors used data from the List of the identified cultural heritage sites of the region. A digital replica of the cultural heritage site was created by means of modern digital modeling technologies. Photogrammetry was a key method employed: it provides highly accurate reproduction of geometric characteristics of an object. Geospatial research revealed significant differences in the spatial density of the archaeological sites. The maximum concentration of monuments was noted within certain territorial entities: the rural settlement of Vozrozhdenie, the stanitsa settlement of Pshada, the Tuapse urban district, and the resort village of Lazarevskoye. As a result of the work, a high-precision three-dimensional model of the Shapsug Dolmen has been built. The physical dimensions of the model correspond to the real parameters of the object, measuring 2.5 m in length, 2.5 m in width, and 1.6 m in height. The study has found that areas with a high spatial density of dolmens have a potential for intensive tourism development. The successful digitization of the Shapsug Dolmen opens up prospects for creating digital twins of other cultural heritage sites. The technique used in this study demonstrates a high efficiency of digital modeling for cultural heritage sites and could be successfully applied to create virtual replicas of other historical monuments.