Heritage Conservation and Cultural Preservation
Virtual Reality applications for visualization of 6000-year-old Neolithic graves from Lenzburg (Switzerland)
Abstract
The last decade has seen a steady increase in the application of virtual 3D approaches in cultural heritage research. Although a large literature exists about the advantages of 3D methods in this field, here we go one step further and elucidate a) how image-based 3D reconstructions can be displayed in virtual reality (VR) space using freeware game engine software and low-cost VR hardware and b) highlight the relative benefits and advantages with a focus on interactive museum displays of relatively large archaeological objects. Specifically, we present three 3D models of different stone grave structures from the Neolithic necropolis of Lenzburg (Northern Switzerland, 4450-3500 BCE). The site has been excavated in 1959/60 and certain graves were subsequently preserved for museum display. By means of VR applications, it is now possible to experience these approximately 6000-year-old tombs with an innovative approach circumventing various barriers or constraints and offering interactive display options.
Topics
Cite this paper
@article{a4a6ade7,
title = {Virtual Reality applications for visualization of 6000-year-old Neolithic graves from Lenzburg (Switzerland)},
journal = {Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage},
volume = {30},
pages = {e00283},
year = {2023},
issn = {2212-0548},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.daach.2023.e00283},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212054823000280},
author = {Noah Steuri and Oliver Sahli and Johannes Reich and Marco Milella and Jonas Nyffeler and Thomas Doppler and Sandra Lösch and Albert Hafner},
keywords = {Prehistoric grave structures, 3D-documentation, Virtual reality VR, Interactive visualization, Digital archaeology},
abstract = {The last decade has seen a steady increase in the application of virtual 3D approaches in cultural heritage research. Although a large literature exists about the advantages of 3D methods in this field, here we go one step further and elucidate a) how image-based 3D reconstructions can be displayed in virtual reality (VR) space using freeware game engine software and low-cost VR hardware and b) highlight the relative benefits and advantages with a focus on interactive museum displays of relatively large archaeological objects. Specifically, we present three 3D models of different stone grave structures from the Neolithic necropolis of Lenzburg (Northern Switzerland, 4450-3500 BCE). The site has been excavated in 1959/60 and certain graves were subsequently preserved for museum display. By means of VR applications, it is now possible to experience these approximately 6000-year-old tombs with an innovative approach circumventing various barriers or constraints and offering interactive display options.}
}