Transforming heightmeasurments or contourlines into a 3d image (commonly called a Digital Elevation Model, DEM) often results in a very nice image. But a beautiful image is not always an accurate image. The result depends on several elements, as for instance the way measurements are distributed, parameters and variables used in the software, or preferred physival phenomena (The Grand Canyon obviously has a quite different landscape, as the Danube delta.).
BEEX has great expertise in this field and will always check if the available data is suited for the presentation purposes of the client. (see this article in PDF format for more information)
Regional studies will often rely on existing (historical) maps for the aqcuisition of data. In most cases contour maps will provide the best available source. BEEX can digitise these maps for you and transform them in the best possible way into a DEM.
On archaeological sites it is probably best to use a series of height measurements. These can be obtained in a regular or random way, as long as the density of the pionts meets the level of detail wanted in the image. BEEX can also produce this data for you (see Digital Surveys)