Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts
The spatial characteristics of museum exhibitions may limit visitors’ experience of the artefacts on display. In the case of large artefacts, limited space may affect their whole visualization, or inhibit the visualization of the details farthest from the observer. In other cases, the storage of art...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universitat Politècnica de València
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Virtual Archaeology Review |
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| Online Access: | https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/var/article/view/11918 |
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| author | Francesco Gherardini Mattia Santachiara Francesco Leali |
| author_facet | Francesco Gherardini Mattia Santachiara Francesco Leali |
| author_sort | Francesco Gherardini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The spatial characteristics of museum exhibitions may limit visitors’ experience of the artefacts on display. In the case of large artefacts, limited space may affect their whole visualization, or inhibit the visualization of the details farthest from the observer. In other cases, the storage of artefacts in distant sites (museums or archaeological areas) may influence their knowledge process or the possibility for comparative analysis. Moreover, the precarious state of preservation of some artefacts, with damaged or missing parts, makes it difficult to perceive their original appearance. To overcome these limitations, we propose an integrated approach based on 3D virtual models and Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the fruition of artefacts, improving their visualization, analysis and personal/shared knowledge, also by overcoming space and time constraints. The final AR application is an easily accessible tool for most users from a mobile device, used both inside and outside museums, opening new perspectives for fruition. The framework encourages the use of free and open source software and standard devices, to maximize their dissemination and exploit the potential of such technologies, which is far greater than current use in the cultural heritage field. Selected case studies to test and validate the integrated framework are proposed, dealing with some Roman artefacts found in the area of Modena (Italy). The first is a Roman floor mosaic, found in Savignano sul Panaro (near Modena) in 2011, of which less than half of its original 4.5 x 6.9 m surface is preserved. The others are two Roman funerary lion sculptures: the first is one of two lions flanking the main door of Modena Cathedral, and the second, well-preserved but damaged, is housed in the Museo Lapidario Estense of Modena. Finally, the application was tested by museum experts and visitors both inside and outside the museum, and positively assessed.
Highlights:
•
Digital practice is not understood as a prerogative of a small number of people, but as a tool to guarantee and expand artefact fruition, using standard devices and free and open source software.
•
Experimentation of new settings to re-contextualize artefacts and establish possible links among them, offering engaging and customized experiences to improve their accessibility and enjoyment.
•
Promotion of artefact fruition not only in but also outside museums, such as in a classroom or an open and shared space, opening to new approaches in the fruition of cultural heritage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-40d101d1624e4f69a9dc1b9b4af0a6c6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1989-9947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | Universitat Politècnica de València |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virtual Archaeology Review |
| spelling | doaj-art-40d101d1624e4f69a9dc1b9b4af0a6c62025-08-20T02:44:02ZengUniversitat Politècnica de ValènciaVirtual Archaeology Review1989-99472019-07-011021677910.4995/var.2019.119187574Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefactsFrancesco Gherardini0Mattia Santachiara1Francesco Leali2University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaSantascoUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaThe spatial characteristics of museum exhibitions may limit visitors’ experience of the artefacts on display. In the case of large artefacts, limited space may affect their whole visualization, or inhibit the visualization of the details farthest from the observer. In other cases, the storage of artefacts in distant sites (museums or archaeological areas) may influence their knowledge process or the possibility for comparative analysis. Moreover, the precarious state of preservation of some artefacts, with damaged or missing parts, makes it difficult to perceive their original appearance. To overcome these limitations, we propose an integrated approach based on 3D virtual models and Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance the fruition of artefacts, improving their visualization, analysis and personal/shared knowledge, also by overcoming space and time constraints. The final AR application is an easily accessible tool for most users from a mobile device, used both inside and outside museums, opening new perspectives for fruition. The framework encourages the use of free and open source software and standard devices, to maximize their dissemination and exploit the potential of such technologies, which is far greater than current use in the cultural heritage field. Selected case studies to test and validate the integrated framework are proposed, dealing with some Roman artefacts found in the area of Modena (Italy). The first is a Roman floor mosaic, found in Savignano sul Panaro (near Modena) in 2011, of which less than half of its original 4.5 x 6.9 m surface is preserved. The others are two Roman funerary lion sculptures: the first is one of two lions flanking the main door of Modena Cathedral, and the second, well-preserved but damaged, is housed in the Museo Lapidario Estense of Modena. Finally, the application was tested by museum experts and visitors both inside and outside the museum, and positively assessed. Highlights: • Digital practice is not understood as a prerogative of a small number of people, but as a tool to guarantee and expand artefact fruition, using standard devices and free and open source software. • Experimentation of new settings to re-contextualize artefacts and establish possible links among them, offering engaging and customized experiences to improve their accessibility and enjoyment. • Promotion of artefact fruition not only in but also outside museums, such as in a classroom or an open and shared space, opening to new approaches in the fruition of cultural heritage.https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/var/article/view/11918virtual modellingimage-based reconstructionaugmented reality (ar)real-time visualizationvirtual museumroman archaeological objects |
| spellingShingle | Francesco Gherardini Mattia Santachiara Francesco Leali Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts Virtual Archaeology Review virtual modelling image-based reconstruction augmented reality (ar) real-time visualization virtual museum roman archaeological objects |
| title | Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts |
| title_full | Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts |
| title_short | Enhancing heritage fruition through 3D virtual models and augmented reality: an application to Roman artefacts |
| title_sort | enhancing heritage fruition through 3d virtual models and augmented reality an application to roman artefacts |
| topic | virtual modelling image-based reconstruction augmented reality (ar) real-time visualization virtual museum roman archaeological objects |
| url | https://polipapers.upv.es/index.php/var/article/view/11918 |
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