Mapping Cultural and Archaeological Features in the Fujairah Emirate using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner

The Fujairah Emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has many important cultural and archaeological sites. These include the Fujairah and Al-Bithna Forts and the Al-Bidyah Mosque. With increasing tourism patronage and development of major infrastructure projects in Fujairah, these sites are increasingly under threat. Their present condition requires careful mapping for proper management and future preservation efforts. In 2012, a group of researchers from the School of Mathematics and Geospatial Science at RMIT University, in conjunction with the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA) in the UAE, undertook a number of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) surveys of these sites. These surveys will document their present condition and form an ongoing baseline study to monitor the impact of increased tourist patronage and climate change at these sites. They will also add to the marketing and tourism promotional activities of the FTAA.