DITCH Lab

Digital Imaging and Technology for Cultural Heritage Lab

Supporting Heritage. Training Students. Preserving the Past.

Welcome to the CSUSM Department of Anthropology DITCH Lab! Growing out of the CSUSM Innovation Ecosysystem, DITCH sits at the intersection of teaching and technological innovation to serve the cultural heritage industry of southern California. We operate as a small, university supported research lab that provides specialized documentation, digitization, and digital interpretation services to museums, historical societies, cultural organizations, and other cultural heritage organizations in the greater San Diego region.

Services offered:

- SfM photogrammetry scanning
- SfM training workshops for individuals and organizations
- Structured light scanning
- Customized virtual walking tours
- Reflective Transformation Imaging (RTI)
- Ground Penetrating Radar
- Technical artifact illustration
- Historical document scanning

Equipment:

- Sony A7iii mirrorless camera and assorted lenses
- Canon EOS 80D dslr camera and assorted lenses
- Calibrated photogrammetry scalebars (object and scene)
- Portable photogrammetry studios
- Foldio360 turntables
- Neewer studio lights
- Rico ThetaZ1 360 degree cameras
- MetaQuest 2 VR headsets
- Artec Leo scanner
- Laser Aided Profiler
- GSSI Utiliscan GPR
- RTI kit
- iPad pro with integrated lidar

A University-Based Solution for Regional Cultural Heritage Documentation and Interpretation

Our work connects university research and student training with the needs of the broader heritage community. Undergraduate students receive hands-on experience with professional documentation technologies and workflows while working under faculty supervision.

Our services are designed around a model that benefits both cultural heritage organizations and university students.

Undergraduate students participate directly in project work, gaining practical experience in documentation technologies, digital preservation, archaeological illustration, and heritage interpretation. Projects are completed under faculty supervision, with workflows and deliverables tailored to the needs of each client.

By working with DITCH, organizations can support the next generation of digital cultural heritage professionals while contributing to the preservation and interpretation of our shared cultural heritage.

Work With Us

Have a collection, site, archive, or heritage project that could benefit from digital documentation?

We can work with you to determine the appropriate technology, workflow, and deliverables for your project.

Contact jspenard@csusm.edu to discuss your project and request an estimate.

Click the images below to see a sample of our 3D scans:

Historic Stone Structure

Mock Excavation Scan

Souvenir mask

Trench Excavation Wall Profile

Molcajete