Virtual Reality and Scientific Visualization in Archaeological Research

Introduction: The Great Temple, Petra, Jordan Excavations 1993-present Over 70 Trenches Excavated Database with over 250,000 Finds Excavations 1993-present Over 70 Trenches Excavated Database with over 250,000 Finds

Data Modeling Possibilities: Site and Trench Modeling Methods Data Visualization - Artifact Concentrations by Color Blocking Data Visualization - Artifact Concentrations by Cluster Interface Possibilities: Movement and Scale Selection Orientation Searches in the System Research Conclusions: Data Modeling Possibilities: Site and Trench Modeling Methods Data Visualization - Artifact Concentrations by Color Blocking Data Visualization - Artifact Concentrations by Cluster Interface Possibilities: Movement and Scale Selection Orientation Searches in the System Research Conclusions: Overview: Visualizing and Searching Three Dimensional Archaeological Data Overview: Visualizing and Searching Three Dimensional Archaeological Data

Site and Trench Modeling Methods: In situ architecture, trenches and loci modeled. Data can be plotted such as stratigraphy, bulk finds and special finds. As the user investigates the site in the Cave, trenches and loci can be turned on and off for better access or to focus on a specific area. The database of objects contains relative locations of bulk finds in each loci and exact locations for special finds.

Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Color Blocking each Loci to Indicate Quantity Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Color Blocking each Loci to Indicate Quantity It’s difficult to see loci under or behind trenches in the Immediate field of view. The user may have a hard time associating objects with architecture. Several object types cannot be shown at once. It’s difficult to see loci under or behind trenches in the Immediate field of view. The user may have a hard time associating objects with architecture. Several object types cannot be shown at once.

Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Color Blocking each Loci to Indicate Quantity (cont.)

Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Clusters, Colors Represent Artifact Types, Slide One Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Clusters, Colors Represent Artifact Types, Slide One Pottery Finds = Red

Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Clusters, Colors Represent Artifact Types, Slide Two Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Clusters, Colors Represent Artifact Types, Slide Two Coin Finds = Yellow

Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Clusters, Colors Represent Artifact Types, Slide Three Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations Shown by Clusters, Colors Represent Artifact Types, Slide Three Bone Finds = Green

Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations, Stratigraphy, Special Finds and Other Features can be modeled in abstract ways. Data Visualization: Artifact Concentrations, Stratigraphy, Special Finds and Other Features can be modeled in abstract ways.

Interface Possibilities: Movement and Scale Selection Orientation Searches in the System Interface Possibilities: Movement and Scale Selection Orientation Searches in the System

Interface Possibilities: Movement and Scale Long/Coarse Movements user will access a smaller version of the world (WIM) Once the user initiates the WIM mode he/she walk around the model and interact with it freely. Detail Exploration – Full Scale Model The user will navigate in this scale through a special gestural interface where small head and body movements will allow the user to have access to a specific region. These methods are less tiring for the user and more natural. Allowing the user to change scales easily provides an appropriate vantage point to answer specific questions. Interface Possibilities: Movement and Scale Long/Coarse Movements user will access a smaller version of the world (WIM) Once the user initiates the WIM mode he/she walk around the model and interact with it freely. Detail Exploration – Full Scale Model The user will navigate in this scale through a special gestural interface where small head and body movements will allow the user to have access to a specific region. These methods are less tiring for the user and more natural. Allowing the user to change scales easily provides an appropriate vantage point to answer specific questions.

Interface Possibilities: Selection

Interface Possibilities: Orientation Visual Clutter: When interacting with a full scale model, there is a lot of abstract visual information surrounding the user and there’s a tendency to get confused. Landmarks: Providing the user with a series of consistent – recognizable landmarks allows users a reference when they get confused. Interface Possibilities: Orientation Visual Clutter: When interacting with a full scale model, there is a lot of abstract visual information surrounding the user and there’s a tendency to get confused. Landmarks: Providing the user with a series of consistent – recognizable landmarks allows users a reference when they get confused.

Searches in the System: Current searches include 6 artifacts types and special finds. Users are limited 3 buttons and 1 glove command to initiate queries with. We would like to be able to access all the artifacts and do a large variety of queries with combinations of different finds. Searches in the System: Current searches include 6 artifacts types and special finds. Users are limited 3 buttons and 1 glove command to initiate queries with. We would like to be able to access all the artifacts and do a large variety of queries with combinations of different finds.

Conclusion: We have tried to solve a very general yet complicated problem, in terms of the geometry of our model, the data types involved, the amount of data and the types of analysis required. We are trying to accommodate the needs of Archaeologists within the research aims and with the advice of Computer Science/Virtual Reality Interface and Cognitive Science. Using this method we can develop novel user interfaces, advanced visual search methods in three dimensions and new methods for analyzing the 3D aspects of Archaeological data.