{"title":"Beyond the landscape: analysis of Neolithic circular ditch systems of Lower Austria with advanced virtual archaeoastronomy","authors":"G. Zotti, W. Neubauer","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.10772","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.10772","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes developments in virtual archaeology that started in a research project about the possible astronomical entrance orientation of Neolithic circular ditch systems (German Kreisgrabenanlagen, KGA) of Lower Austria. Starting from data analysis in a Geographical Information System (GIS), we will cover a simple way of modelling, and discuss three ways of visualisation for the combination of landscape and human-made buildings together with celestial objects. The first way involves extensions to the modelling program SketchUp to bring in just enough astronomical data for scientific evaluation. The second introduces a set of extensions to the open-source desktop planetarium program Stellarium, which can meanwhile be used to load a standard 3D model format to allow detailed research in astronomical orientation patterns, and light-and-shadow interaction over many millennia, even for researchers less familiar with astronomical programming. The third presents a “serious gaming” approach, which can provide the most natural view of the landscape, but requires at least some, if not deep, familiarity with astronomical and 3D computer graphics programming and, therefore, due to this considerably larger effort, appears to be mostly useful for outreach of high-profile results to the public. The entrances to the KGA of Lower Austria turned out to be mostly oriented following a purely terrestrial pattern of up- and downward sloping terrain, but with one noteworthy exception.Highlights:Virtual archaeology can help to better understand archaeological remains embedded in the landscape. Occasionally, the “landscape” concept must be extended to include the celestial landscape.Open-source development allowed the combination of a desktop planetarium with 3D landscape and architecture visualisation. Also, datable changes in the landscape can meanwhile be simulated.Astronomical elements added to a game engine can also be used to faithfully provide important insights while providing the most appealing visualisation environments so far, but with considerably more effort.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42981617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Tucci, A. Conti, L. Fiorini, M. Corongiu, Noemi Valdambrini, Carlotta Matta
{"title":"M-BIM: a new tool for the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze","authors":"G. Tucci, A. Conti, L. Fiorini, M. Corongiu, Noemi Valdambrini, Carlotta Matta","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.11943","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.11943","url":null,"abstract":"The paper deals with an ongoing research activity for developing a Building Information Model (BIM) for the facility and collections management of museums. The BIM success lies not only in its application for the design and construction of buildings but also because it helps the information management of a building throughout its life cycle. Compared to other activities, in museums management, the container/content relationship is essential for the preventive conservation of artworks, according to national and international guidelines. Then, an effective BIM-based museum information system linked to external databases (called M-BIM) should include also the art collections for managing information regarding both the building and artworks by 3D objects handling. This facilitates the management of the procedures prescribed by international best practices (as the facility and conservation reports set up for the loan of artworks) or by Italian regulations (as to check the compliance of a museum with the minimum standards or to archive renovations and temporary exhibitions). The proposed methodology has been tested on the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (Florence, Italy), situated in a complex heritage building. Starting from data acquired during a laser scanner survey carried out in 2011, a HBIM of the whole building has been created. Then, the sculptures and paintings of a consistent part of the museum have been modelled with different approaches and inserted as BIM objects. Artworks instances include 3D geometry and physical data (dimensions, materials, weight, etc.), other data are obtained from links to already existing external catalogues. A database conceptual model has been formalised, according to INSPIRE Consolidated Unified Modelling Language (UML) of the INSPIRE Directive, with the aim to maintain the independence of the BIM approach but improving data connection with other databases and sources.Highlights:A holistic information management system for museums (M-BIM) is proposed, including both information on the building and the collections.International and Italian guidelines, and best practices on museums management are compared.The Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze is used as a case study for testing the application of M-BIM on a heritage building.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48950284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Special Section Preface: Informative Models and Systems for Virtual Museum","authors":"R. Brumana, G. Tucci, J. L. Lerma","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.12357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.12357","url":null,"abstract":"Special Section Preface","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47341502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Lai, Anthony C. K. Leung, Dennis Chan, Steve H. Ching
{"title":"Cultural heritage preservation using new media methods: Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, China","authors":"D. Lai, Anthony C. K. Leung, Dennis Chan, Steve H. Ching","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.11071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.11071","url":null,"abstract":"Architectural landmarks that represent a culture’s identity are also sanctuaries for cultural heritage preservation. The tallest and oldest wooden multi-story structure in the world, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda of China is tilting at an ongoing rate that requires an urgency to find solutions to revert the damage. To preserve the evolving humanistic and artistic understandings of ancient Chinese architecture, and to cultivate the scientific reasoning behind ancient Chinese carpentry, new media allows digital and computational methods to replace human users who once manually analyzed data and information from cultural sites and artifacts. This article will exemplify new media tools such as animation via 3D/2D modeling, 3D scanning and virtual reality photography to examine material evidence of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda of China, and the role new media can assist in its fight to sustain its originality since 1056.Highlights:Examination, documentation, research and education of architectural heritage sites using new media methods.Integration of old archives and digital/computational software to represent the outstanding value of the oldest and tallest wooden skyscraper in the world.Use of 2D/3D modelling and virtual reality photography developing information to increase awareness on cultural heritage sites suffering wood deterioration. ","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45165199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extended reality and informative models for the architectural heritage: from scan-to-BIM process to virtual and augmented reality","authors":"F. Banfi, R. Brumana, C. Stanga","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.11923","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.11923","url":null,"abstract":"The dissemination of the tangible and intangible values of heritage building represents one of the most important objectives in the field of Digital Cultural Heritage (DCH). In recent years, different studies and research applied to heritage monuments have shown how it is possible to improve the awareness of the architectural heritage through the integration of latest developments in the field of 3D survey, 3D modelling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and eXtended Reality (XR). On the other hand, this digital workflow requires a huge amount of data sources and a holistic approach to reach a high level of information sharing coming from different disciplines and sectors such as restoration, geomatics, 3D virtual museums and serious gaming. In conjunction with entertainment software and gaming, this research shows the main results obtained during the generative process of digital environments oriented to improve the level of information and to enrich the contents coming from the informative models. The case study is represented by one of the most important Lombard monuments: the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. This study, starting from the 3D survey and the data collection of the historical records of the church, improves the creation of an XR experience that reaches a new level of interactivity for different types of devices (desktop, mobile, VR headset) and users (experts, non-experts).Highlights:Generative modelling requirements and novel grades of generations (GOG) and accuracy (GOA) are presented in order to improve the digitisation of built heritage from the 3D survey, reducing time and costs of the scan-to-BIM process.The holistic value of generative modelling allows experts to create digital worlds able to faithfully and accurately represent the detected reality and improve new immersive environments for Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) projects.Immersive environments are created with a mixture of the latest generation software and hardware, allowing users to discover the hidden historical values of built heritage with new levels of interactivity and information.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43782099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A virtual logbook for the documentation of a continuously changing archaeological site: the San Clemente site in Albenga (Italy)","authors":"M. Previtali","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.11916","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.11916","url":null,"abstract":"Cultural and built heritage is nowadays recognized as a value not only in the socio-cultural field but also as an important economic driver. However, this non-renewable resource is more and more threatened by both external and internal factors and only by raising awareness on the vulnerability of cultural heritage we can lead to a real involvement of citizen to heritage site protection. In this sense, Virtual Museums (VMs), and more in general virtual technologies, can have a primary role to attract tourists and citizens. Indeed, VMs by presenting cultural concepts by using amusing and engaging techniques may reach younger generations in an easier way. In this paper, the specific case of the San Clemente archaeological site (Albenga, Italy) is addressed. Being the site in the riverbed of the Centa, it undergoes frequent flooding events causing continuously new damages to the archaeological site. The development of a virtual logbook of the site is presented along with the pre-processing steps that are necessary for the preparation of the published material. The logbook is addressed on one side to professionals (i.e. archaeologists and practitioners in cultural heritage) with the main aim of providing a tool for quick damage assessment. On the other side, a mobile app is on development for tourists and citizens allowing virtual exportation of the site and providing informative contents about it.Highlights:Virtual museums and virtual environments are fundamental tools to raise awareness about the vulnerability of archaeological sites.This paper presents the development of a virtual logbook, that can be used by experts and tourists, for the archaeological site of San Clemente (Albenga).Integration of data coming from different sources is rendered into a web environment that can be easily accessed from both desktop and mobile devices.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41711904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of visual media on social cognitive concept: The case of cultural object Ru (Korea)","authors":"Hyuk-Jin Lee","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.11242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.11242","url":null,"abstract":"There have been very few studies explaining the theoretica l basis on the importance of visible cultural heritage. This study provides the philosophical background of this topic based on a phenomenological point of view andexplains the significant impact on social members’ cognition. The case of Ru, one of the traditional Korean building types, is introduced as a representative example; how its concept has been defined, changed, and forgotten in Korean culture. The importance of having a correct understanding of how cognition is composed of different types of experiences of cultural heritage is further explained. In this context, the importance of semantic mode and pictorial mode classified by Husserl is argued as the most powerful medium in human cognition based on phenomenological analysis. In this respect, the important role of Virtual Reality (VR) was highlighted. Considering the pace of recent technology and researches, breaking the barrier between experiencing the physical object and the VR may be a matter of time. Phenomenological classification of cultural heritage, which was designed for explaining all the types of cultural heritage, is introduced. The importance of developing a valid VR model and its role in cultural studies is emphasized via the phenomenological classification of cultural heritage. Finally, the balance of the inductive and deductive approach in a cultural study is suggested for more prolific and balanced achievements. Highlights:This article provides the philosophical background of the importance of visible cultural heritage based on the phenomenological point of view.Significant impact on social members’ cognition of the visible cultural heritage is discussed in the case of the traditional Korean building.In this respect, the important role of Virtual Reality technology is highlighted. ","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46532716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"El complejo termal monumental de la ciudad romana de Valeria: propuesta de reconstrucción virtual de sus ambientes fríos a la luz de los hallazgos arqueológicos.","authors":"Javier Atienza Fuente","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.11317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.11317","url":null,"abstract":"The archaeological excavations carried out since 2014 at the Valeria site (Cuenca, Spain) have exhumed the remains of a thermal building built at the beginning of the 1st century A.D. The state of conservation is exceptionally good, with a height of walls that exceeds 3 m. This circumstance is due to the fact that the area in which the building is located was abandoned at the end of the 3rd century A.C. and its architectural structures were not subject of looting of construction materials. Archaeological excavations have exhumed the structures belonging to two different rooms: a western room, the frigidarium or cold room, and an oriental room paved with polychrome and geometric mosaics. The frigidarium, excavated almost entirely, has, on the western side, a natatio or indoor pool with a series of steps or benches attached to the northern and southern flanks. The excavation of these rooms has recovered about a thousand marble pieces of different typologies and provenances that were part of both the paving and parietal coatings, as well as abundant remains of mosaics and wall paintings that show the decorative richness of this space. The presence of glazed windows has also been proven due to the recovery of numerous fragments of glass, some of them still with remnants of lead. For all these results, a virtual reconstruction of the frigidarium is proposed, counting as base data with the conclusions derived from the study of the elements conserved in situ and those recovered in a controlled archaeological context. For the realization of the virtual recreation have been used textures, tonalities and decorative motifs taken from the archaeological remains.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45569832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Archaeological documentation and data sharing: digital surveying and open data approach applied to archaeological fieldworks","authors":"M. Previtali, R. Valente","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.10377","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.10377","url":null,"abstract":"The open data paradigm is changing the research approach in many fields such as remote sensing and the social sciences. This is supported by governmental decisions and policies that are boosting the open data wave, and in this context archaeology is also affected by this new trend. In many countries, archaeological data are still protected or only limited access is allowed. However, the strong political and economic support for the publication of government data as open data will change the accessibility and disciplinary expertise in the archaeological field too. In order to maximize the impact of data, their technical openness is of primary importance. Indeed, since a spreadsheet is more usable than a PDF of a table, the availability of digital archaeological data, which is structured using standardised approaches, is of primary importance for the real usability of published data. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to present a workflow for archaeological data sharing as open data with a large level of technical usability and interoperability. Primary data is mainly acquired through the use of digital techniques (e.g. digital cameras and terrestrial laser scanning). The processing of this raw data is performed with commercial software for scan registration and image processing, allowing for a simple and semi-automated workflow. Outputs obtained from this step are then processed in modelling and drawing environments to generate digital models, both 2D and 3D. These crude geometrical data are then enriched with further information to generate a Geographic Information System (GIS) which is finally published as open data using Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards to maximise interoperability.Highlights:Open data will change the accessibility and disciplinary expertise in the archaeological field.The main aim of this paper is to present a workflow for archaeological data sharing as open data with a large level of interoperability.Digital acquisition techniques are used to document archaeological excavations and a Geographic Information System (GIS) is generated that is published as open data.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44731889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scientific rigour of online platforms for 3D visualization of heritage","authors":"Nataska Statham","doi":"10.4995/VAR.2019.9715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4995/VAR.2019.9715","url":null,"abstract":"3D visualisations –including 3D scans and 3D reconstructions–designed as part of larger archaeology, history or cultural heritage projects are commonly shared with the public through online platforms that were not necessarily designed to host heritage representations and often fail to contextualize them. This paper seeks to evaluate whether five online platforms commonly used today to share 3D visualisations of heritage (Google Arts & Culture, CyArk, 3DHOP, Sketchfab and game engines) offer features that facilitate their scientific rigour and community participation, based on guidelines from International Council on Monuments and Sites(ICOMOS)and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization(UNESCO). The author starts by summarizing recommendations from 32 international guidelines that are relevant to the 3D visualization of heritage, condensing them into nine key criteria: multi-disciplinary teams, objective-driven methodology and tools, careful documentation, type of reconstruction and level of certainty, authenticity, alternative hypotheses, multiple historical periods, respectful use of the heritage, and community engagement. The author proceeds to review the platforms above comparing their features with these nine recommendations and concludes that, while there are currently available features that could help to elevate the scientific rigour of the 3D visualisations and their contextualization to the public, they are not mandatory and are seldom used. The paper finishes with a recommendation for an information package to support3D visualisations of heritage on public online platforms.Highlights:Online platforms for the 3D visualization of heritage fail to disclose what type of reconstruction it is and its level of certainty, struggling to balance community engagement vs scientific rigour of their contents.ICOMOS and UNESCO recommendations regarding heritage are loosely followed on the reviewed platforms, and supporting documentation is often lacking.Scientific rigour on these platforms could be elevated with supporting textual fields to disclose further information about each visualisation.","PeriodicalId":44206,"journal":{"name":"Virtual Archaeology Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2019-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45231647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}