[VIRTUALARCHAEOLOGY]

The aim of this poster is to emphasize the importance of 3D technologies and restitutions in the study, interpretation, preservation and divulging of archaeological sites and artifacts. I aim to do this by complementing traditional alpha-numeric data and images, with new digital ways of visual registration, virtual interaction and Arqueologia):

work in progress

Vera Moitinho

moitinho@ipa.min-cultura.pt

digital data. I shall show some of the virtual archaeological projects that we are developing in the Portuguese Institute of Archaeology (IPA; Instituto Portugus de

[1] Evolution of Natural and Built Landscapes

In order to restitute the roman Villa in Rabaal (Portugal) we used both modern and archive data. These include GIS (topographic maps, orthophotos), illustrations, drawings, photographs, texts and maps. We were then able to create real-time interactive 3D digital models and progressively build a structural knowledge of the scene, as well as the evolution of both the natural and the built landscapes as it could be, as it is and as it might be.

Terrain - Topography

Architecture

Objects & Ornaments

in Potsherd: Atlas of Roman Pottery. <www.potsherd. uklinux.net> (courtesy of Pedro Madeira)

Rabaal

Topographic map (left) and geographical location, Portugal (right).

(courtesy of JL. Madeira)

Figure 1.1b

Figure 1.2b

Polygonal mesh/surface (left), terrain 3D model (center) and terrain with texture map (right).

As it could be drawing (left), 3D virtual restitutions in Autocad (center) and in VRML (right).

[2] 3D Analysis of Quartzite Industries

Collections of quartzite industries are macro-like. The volume and weight of each artefact means that such collections are difficult to transport. This often means that it is impossible to study them outside research centres and universities. Moreover transporting them often causes their deterioration. To facilitate their study, we undertook a preliminary comparison between the use of photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning of a few Palaeolithic cobbles from Granho-Vale Coelheiro (Portugal).

2D Representation Archaeological Drawings Archaeological Photography

Close Range Photogrammetry

Multiple Image Based Softwares: geometric and color data processing are extracted from a set of convergent photos.

(courtesy of Telmo Pereira)

Lithics: Cores

(courtesy of JPRuas)

Figure 2.1a

Figure 2.2a

Descriptive Drawings.

Top, front, left, reverse and right views.

(courtesy of Telmo Pereira)

Figure 2.1b

Diacritic Diagrams.

P Softwares are easy to use and not expensive; P Models with metric data are available; P Output formats include interactive VRML (for the Internet) files with approximately 400 KB to 1M; T Concavities and convexities perpendicular to the camera are difficult to process with great accuracy; T Provides a sufficient level of accuracy for use in restitutions for scientific (archaeological) and higher education; P Restitutions are good for the game industry, museums and other cultural and educational uses.

[3] 3D Reference Collections

3D reference collection The purpose of this project is to create 3D digital models with available metric data, on entire pieces, existing fragments or any other kind of visual registration, for later study.

Roman
in Potsherd: Atlas of Roman Pottery <www.potsherd.uklinux.net>

Figure 3.1a

Figure 3.1b

Figure 3.1c

Pottery

Drawing (left), photograph (right).

3D virtual restitution with texture map ( left), wireframe (center) and detail (right).

Wireframe: front (left), side (center) and top views (right).

Animals
SIMON HILLSON (1999). Mammal Bones and Teeth: an introductory guide to methods of identification. The Institute of Archaeology, University College London (1st published 1992). ANGELA VON DEN DRIESCH (1976). A Guide to the measurement of Animal Bones from Archaeological Sites. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University.

3D virtual/physical high accuracy models and data

STL file

Analysing softwares 3D Physical Replica (rapid prototyping system) Internet, CD/DVD-ROM (vrml, x3d, ... files)

. Scalable, . Visual, . Quantitative INSPECTION, ANALYSIS and COMPARISON of: . Curvatures (including sections), . Surfaces (e.g. area, perimeter), . Volumes, . Proportions...

Bones

Figure 3.2c

Figure 3.2a

Figure 3.2b

Sacrum drawings.

Sacrum drawings.

3D virtual reconstruction of a deer sacrum (Gom ATOS I, stereo-photogrammetric scanner): practical applications.

Keywords: Virtual Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, 3D Reconstruction, Photogrammetry, 3D Laser Scanning.

CAA2007 Layers of Perception: advanced technological means to illuminate our past Berlin, 2-6.April.2007

INSTITUTO PORTUGUS DE ARQUEOLOGIA

IP

Figure 1.1a

Figure 1.2a

Architecture in situ (left) and architectural drawing (right).

Figure 1.3a

Fragment (left), object and type identification (center) and 3D virtual restitution (right).

Figure 1.3b

Figure 1.3c

Fragmented wainscot (left) and 2D virtual restitution (right).

Jar (left) and 3D virtual photogrammetric model (right).

3D Representation 3D Laser Scanning

Konica-Minolta VI-9i scanner and RapidForm analysing software.
Area of model: 32353.27531 mm2, Volume of model: 421956.82194 mm3.

Figure 2.3a

D-Sculptor software: photos with referenced points and selected object.

Figure 2.4a

Intermediate views (left, center, right).

Figure 2.3b

Generated polygonal mesh (left) and texture map (right).

Figure 2.4b

Sections: Z axis (left), X axis (center-left) and Y axis (center-right and right).

Figure 2.3c

Real-time model manipulation: Interactive VRML file, with JPEG texture map (left) and stereo red-blue model (right).

T Equipments and softwares needed for data analysis are expensive; P Models with metric data are available; P Output formats include STL (for rapid prototyping) and interactive VRML files; P Concavities and convexities perpendicular to the camera are easy to process with a high degree of accuracy; P Reconstructions for scientific (archaeological) and higher educational use are accurate; P Provides excellent reconstructions suitable for the game industry, museums and other cultural and educational uses.

TRADITIONAL METHODS OF INSPECTION ARE INSUFFICIENT: . VISUAL may be subjective/non mathematical . METRIC EQUIPMENT calipers may damage the bone

Figure 3.1d

Sections.

NON-INTRUSIVE TECHNOLOGIES: . 3D Graphics applications, . (stereo)Photogrammetry, . Laser scan, . Computed Tomography...

Figure 2.4c

Curvature levels (left) and measured distance points along line (right).