A distributed universal 3D cyberworld for archaeological research and education

Abstract

The scientific results of global archaeological excavations often take the form of books and papers, and on occasion, web sites and digital media. However, a large amount of the raw recorded data remains inaccessible to wider audiences. This paper proposes the development of a universal archaeological system that unites archaeological recordings from diverse sites, making easier the process of dissemination to both the wider public and the analysis and comparison of this data by the scientific community, enabling a more informed interpretation of our past. This is accomplished through a 3D cyber-world constructed from a variable level of detailed recordings from archaeological sites.