Methodology

Fieldwork and Documentation Approach

This research utilized a field-based documentation approach combining community engagement, immersive media capture, and comparative technology analysis. Between March and April 2025, three research trips were conducted to Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. These trips aimed to document significant Gullah Geechee cultural sites through 3D scanning, 360° videography, and aerial photography. A range of hardware and software tools were employed to capture, compare, and evaluate the quality, cost, and accessibility of different spatial documentation technologies.

Day 1: March 29, 2025 — Preliminary Documentation

The first research trip to Daufuskie Island served as a preliminary documentation effort. Golf carts were rented for a self-guided tour, during which initial visual and spatial captures were conducted.

Sites Documented:
      - First Union African Baptist Church (Sanctuary and Pews)
      - African Praise House
      - Mary Field Cemetery

Tools Used:
      - iPhone 16 Pro Max (Scaniverse app — LiDAR and photogrammetry)
      - Insta360 X4 (360° video capture)

Notes:
      Captures provided foundational material for later, more targeted documentation efforts.

Day 2: April 18, 2025 — Community Engagement and Light Documentation

The second research trip emphasized relationship-building and cultural learning. The day was spent touring the island with Ms. Sallie Ann Robinson, a sixth-generation Gullah Geechee Daufuskie native. Documentation was minimal, with a focus on deepening trust and understanding the cultural significance of sites from a community perspective.

Sites Documented:
      - Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (Billie Burn Museum)
      - Oyster Union Society Hall
      - First Union African Baptist Church
      - Mary Fields School
      - Ms. Sallie Ann Robinson's Home

Tools Used:
      - iPhone 16 Pro Max (Scaniverse app — Gaussian splats, video, photography)

Notes:
      Captures were secondary to learning and relationship development, with mobile LiDAR and 2D media prioritized for feasibility.

Day 3: April 19, 2025 — Comparative Technology Documentation (Tuskegee Collaboration)

The third research trip focused on high-fidelity documentation and comparative analysis of capture technologies. In partnership with Dr. Kwesi Daniels and Tuskegee University's Architecture Program, two major sites were documented.

Sites Documented:
      - Taby Structure (Rob Kennedy Trail — Public)
      - Robinson Family Home (Private)

Tools Used for Taby Structure:
      - iPhone 16 Pro Max (Scaniverse app)
      - iPad Pro (Polycam app)
      - Leica RTC 360 (Leica Cyclone software)

Tools Used for Robinson Family Home:
      - Leica RTC 360 (Exterior LiDAR scanning)
      - Leica BLK2GO (Interior LiDAR scanning)
      - DJI Mavic Pro (Aerial photography and videography)

Notes:
      Comparative scanning allowed assessment of cost, quality, and context capture. Time constraints prevented full drone photogrammetry. Mobile devices were deemed insufficient for large-scale building scans.

Comparative Technology Analysis

A key component of the field methodology involved a comparative analysis of three different spatial documentation technologies: a professional-grade terrestrial LiDAR scanner (Leica RTC 360), consumer-grade tablet-based scanning (iPad Pro with Polycam), and mobile phone-based scanning (iPhone 16 Pro Max with Scaniverse). This comparison was conducted at the Taby Structure site to assess differences in capture quality, resolution, processing workflows, and cost-efficiency.

The Leica RTC 360 produced the most precise and detailed point-cloud data, offering high-fidelity measurements and broader contextual capture. The iPad Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max yielded lower-resolution outputs with more noise and scaling limitations but demonstrated significant advantages in cost and ease of deployment. These findings highlight critical trade-offs that inform strategies for enabling community-led digital preservation efforts.