Iman KULITZ / Peter FERSCHIN / Peter JANOSI
(Technical University of Vienna, Austria)

Outline:

new approach on interdisciplinary education,

in the field of digital visualisation,

for students of architecture and egyptology

Abstract:

Digital presentation methods for the transfer of knowledge are being applied more frequently in archaeology, however, predominately in the area of virtual reconstruction, principally as photorealistic renderings. In research this form of representation is controversial.

New digital visualisation methods are necessary in order to:

– be implemented during each part of archaeological research

– illustrate the spatial and temporal context

– visualise the essential information

– integrate all data and metadata

Interdisciplinary cooperation between architects, computer scientists and archaeologists is indispensable for the development of new visualisation methods. The actual challenge lies in communication as well as in the differing work and mindsets of the partners. In the long term sensitisation and mutual understanding through the development of visualisation methods in cooperative educational courses. The following paper describes an experiment of the interdisciplinary collaboration between the Institute of Architectural Sciences/Digital Architecture and Planning (IEMAR)/ Vienna University of Technology and the Institute for Egyptology/ University of Vienna.

Under the main title of the lecture ‘Architecture for the Dead’ several egyptological subtopics were chosen. Students in small groups discussed these topics in order to produce visual concepts with the subsequent goals:

Visualisation of

– Architecture (abstract)

– Origin

– Development

– Archaeological Interpretation

– Information

Each team consists of students from both disciplines. The task of the students of Egyptology was to research the data. Together with the students of Digital Architecture they structured and prepared the information. Thereafter, the students of Digital Architecture produced visual concepts from the datasets.

The results and the evaluation of selected students work will be introduced. They should inspire towards a more interdisciplinary tuition as well as stress the importance of the implementation of  ‘Digital Archaeology’ in university education of Archaeology students.

Keywords:

archaeological visualisation; interdisciplinary education