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. 2019;31(2):167-176.
doi: 10.1093/iwc/iwz011. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

A Virtual Reality Platform for Analyzing Remote Archaeological Sites

Brendan Cassidy  1 , Gavin Sim  1 , David Wayne Robinson  2 , Devlin Gandy  3
Affiliations

A Virtual Reality Platform for Analyzing Remote Archaeological Sites

Brendan Cassidy et al. Interact Comput. 2019.

Abstract

This paper describes a Virtual Reality (VR) prototype developed to help archaeologists and other stakeholders explore and analyse archaeological data in a more immersive context. We describe a VR reconstruction of Pleito Cave, a fragile world class rock-art site with accessibility limitation. Key stakeholders are identified and a prototype is described that provides a VR platform for visualizing and interacting with complex archaeological data (gathered from techniques such as decorrelation stretch and X-ray fluorescence) virtually 'in situ' , in a way that would not be possible at the real site. The prototype allows multiple remote users to interact with the cave together remotely providing opportunities for collaborative interpretation and analysis of archaeological data. We also present a survey-based evaluation in which both archaeologists and Native American stakeholders indicate positive responses for measures of both engagement and value.

Keywords: Dr. SI Editors; VR; archaeology; data visualization Handling Editor; heritage; mixed reality; virtual reality.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pleito cave site.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Virtual cave reconstruction and rock-art detail.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Overall pipeline/architecture of the VR platform.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Integrated Virtual Basketry Exhibit.
Figure 5
Figure 5
FIGURE 5. Co-location with the Avatar SDK.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Immersive visualization of fugitive elements.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Example paint/layer separation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Bedford C., Gandy D. and Robinson D.W. (2018) Emigdiano Blues: the California indigenous pigment palette and an in situ analysis of an exotic colour. J. Open Archaeol., 4, 152–172.
    1. Bedford C., Robinson D., Perry J., Baker M., Miles J., Kotoula E., Gandy D. and Bernard J., 2016. Unravelling the Gordian Knot: combining technologies to analyse rock art in Pleito Cave. Proc. Soc. California Archaeol., 30, 183–195.
    1. Bekele M.K., Pierdicca R., Frontoni E., Malinverni E.S. and Gain J. (2018) A survey of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality for cultural heritage. J. Comput. Cult. Herit., 11, 1–36.