Unveiling history: An innovative approach to the dissemination of archaeological heritage

The development of digital technologies and the use of advanced photogrammetry programs for modeling archaeological excavations and sites have opened new possibilities for spatial analysis in archaeology and the reconstruction of archaeological contexts. In addition, these tools allow us to visually preserve the features of archaeological sites for future use and facilitate the dissemination of archaeological heritage to local communities and the general public. This paper summarizes 3D photographic visualization of three cave art sites (Los Cayucos and Cueva No. 1 in Punta del Este, Cuba, and José María Cave in the Dominican Republic) and two burial spaces (Canímar Abajo and Playa del Mango, Cuba) using photogrammetry software. The application of these novel methods at the cave art sites allowed us to visualize faint pictographs that were invisible to the naked eye, to better define the shapes of petroglyphs and to reconstruct the position of lost/removed panels. At the burial sites, 3D modeling allowed us to register the archaeological context with greater precision. The use of 3D modeling will improve spatial analysis and data safeguarding in Cuban archaeology. Moreover, 3D movies are an effective way to disseminate knowledge and connect local communities with their cultural heritage, while reducing the impact of public visits to remote or endangered sites.

Digitization, reconstruction and 3D visualization techniques applied to the molds of terra sigillata of the roman site of Los Villares de Andújar (Isturgi). Possibilities in the dissemination, study and conservation of the archaeological heritage. Innovation and the strong development around the digitalization tools and 3D modeling softwares in recent years, as well as its application within the field of Archeology, has represented obvious benefits for the study, conservation and, very especially, within the area of the dissemination of archaeological heritage. In the following lines we will expose the possibilities of applying jointly photogrammetric techniques, 3D restoration post-processes and digital analysis on terra sigillata hispánica molds from the Roman site of Los Villares de Andújar (Jaén).

In Mexico, archaeological heritage belongs to all members of society, according to section XXV of Article 73 of the Mexican Constitution and Article 27 of the federal law on monuments and archaeological sites. The Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) was founded in 1939 as a federal government agency for the research, protection, and dissemination of archaeological heritage. Although this heritage belongs to all, stringent rules and procedures create an unequal relationship between career professionals and the diverse communities interested in the past (i.e., collectors, local museums, descendant communities). It is long due to begin practicing an inclusive archaeology that considers all the various knowledge systems (i.e., academic, technical, local, and traditional) of the communities interested in the past. Here, we describe case studies from Sonora, Mexico, to propose the implementation of several far-reaching activities with artifact collectors, Indigenous communities, researchers, archaeologists, and INAH Sonora authorities. Our pilot proposal needs to be implemented in other areas of Mexico that continue to prioritize archaeological narratives over other narratives about our past.

Abstract. The exploitation of high quality 3D models for dissemination of archaeological heritage is currently an investigated topic, although Mobile Augmented Reality platforms for historical architecture are not available, allowing to develop low-cost pipelines for effective contents. The paper presents a virtual anastylosis, starting from historical sources and from 3D model based on TLS survey. Several efforts and outputs in augmented or immersive environments, exploiting this reconstruction, are discussed. The work demonstrates the feasibility of a 3D reconstruction approach for complex architectural shapes starting from point clouds and its AR/VR exploitation, allowing the superimposition with archaeological evidences. Major contributions consist in the presentation and the discussion of a pipeline starting from the virtual model, to its simplification showing several outcomes, comparing also the supported data qualities and advantages/disadvantages due to MAR and VR limitations.

The exploitation of high quality 3D models for dissemination of archaeological heritage is currently an investigated topic, although Mobile Augmented Reality platforms for historical architecture are not available, allowing to develop low-cost pipelines for effective contents. The paper presents a virtual anastylosis, starting from historical sources and from 3D model based on TLS survey. Several efforts and outputs in augmented or immersive environments, exploiting this reconstruction, are discussed. <br><br> The work demonstrates the feasibility of a 3D reconstruction approach for complex architectural shapes starting from point clouds and its AR/VR exploitation, allowing the superimposition with archaeological evidences. Major contributions consist in the presentation and the discussion of a pipeline starting from the virtual model, to its simplification showing several outcomes, comparing also the supported data qualities and advantages/disadvantages due to MAR and VR limitations.

<p>Virtual walkthroughs have become one of the most effective tools for the dissemination of archaeological heritage, particularly in those cases in which the site, by location or by their morphology, can not be visited. In this paper we describe the workflow for producing such tools, focusing on its two main phases: 3D digital documentation and the use of a game engine to create a virtual walkthrough. In this same line, as a case study, we describe the intervention in the archaeological site “Cova del Barranc del Migdia”, located on the southern face of Mount Montgó, within the Montgó Natural Park, in the town of Javea (Alicante, Spain).</p>

Abstract. The renewed interest, in the context of international museological studies, for historical installations such as museographic devices (able to give shape to a space duly dialoguing with the user), is due today to their communicative immediacy. In recent years the availability of libraries and tools for the use of augmented reality (AR) content has undergone an important increase. AR innovation represents a new method for enhancing the presence visitors into the museum industry despite its use leads to an increase in costs and instrumental investments. In this regard, in a wider work of valorisation and dissemination of archaeological heritage, we are working on the development of an app for tourism purposes. The aim of this paper is the application of some techniques (3D modelling, spectroscopy, virtual reality) to study, record and make available information about archaeological artefacts preserved in the Regional Museum of Lipari (clay masks) and in the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (the statue Kouros and the Amphoras). The three-dimensional models produced are well suited to applications of augmented reality for the promotion and dissemination of information on the archaeological /architectural/cultural heritage.Moreover, the integration of the information about characterization of materials are essential in order to identify both geographic area of provenience and manufacturing historic period. Some pigments or medium, and in general all materials, can be indeed connected to a determinate historic time or to a specific artist; to this particular purpose spectroscopic methods are valid approach for their non-destructive nature.

Integration of advanced geomatic and geophysics surveys for characterization of Moai statues in Easter Island (Chile) Between 15 and 27 July 2008 a field campaign aimed at collecting topographical and geophysical data useful for geometric reconstruction and material characterization of a Moai Statue was carried out on the Ester Island (Rapa Nui,Chile). The scientific activity, conducted by a team of researchers of Sapienza University of Rome (DITS) and of the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), is part of the “MOAI AL MONDO” Project, coordinated by Marenostrum Foundation and sponsorized by Louis Vuitton Malletier. which promote the dissemination of the cultural and archeological heritage of Easter Island’s people to Europe and to the world.

Current archaeological heritage dissemination systems do not take full advantage of available modern technology. For example, the linking of archaeological findings to their geographical surroundings is a functionality offered by few systems. Given the diversity of webusers, a personalised presentation of the information would be desirable. The TArcHNA GIS architecture offers dynamically tailored spatial and non-spatial information to its users. The vast quantity of archaeological heritage information in the system is filtered to suit each individual, based on user models created by previous interactions with the system. The heritage information is made accessible via a personalised map interface. User interactions are captured implicitly, without the users knowledge. The system is designed to operate on both mobile and desktop devices enhancing the accessibility, and the user's appreciation of archaeological heritage.