Konstantina SIOUNTRI | Dimitrios D. VERGADOS | Emmanouil SKONDRAS | Christos-Nikolaos ANAGNOSTOPOULOS
(University of Piraeus Research Center, Piraeus, Greece)

Keywords: 3D modeling, Augmented Reality (AR), Digital Culture, Digital Heritage

Abstract:
The development of models in order to provide additional information to the visitors of archaeological sites through Augmented Reality (AR) has been an innovative process the previous years. This has been made possible due to achievements in digital technologies, communications, devices and developments in software engineering.
Nevertheless, the ways to fully make use of these new methods nowadays are still being explored, as we have not exploited the potential of new technologies.
In archaeological sites, the production of 3D models for AR is focused on the virtual reconstruction of monuments as they were originally constructed, aiming to give to visitors, especially those who do not have special knowledge of archaeology, the third dimension (height, volume etc).
In this paper will be presented the innovative idea of using AR for maintaining the memory and the information of monuments, as they have been originally excavated, but that are going to be buried due to the particularity of their material or their location. Also, the system architecture of the proposed scheme idea is going to be described through two study cases, a Neolithic settlement in the archaeological site of Halais, Lokris and the remains of a Classical Temple on open field of a hill in Thebes, Boeotia, that they are in the process of being covered again and “disappear” after providing all the possible data after being excavated. Both of the mentioned monuments are under the direction of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens (ASCSA).

Relevance for the conference: Promotion of cultural heritage to the general public through Augmented Reality (AR)
Relevance for the session: Enhancement of Visual Experience of the past to the general public through AR
Innovation: The use of AR for maintaining the memory and the information of buried monuments
References:
• Coleman J., Wren P., Quinn K., “Halai: the 1992-1994 Field Seasons”, Hesperia 68 (1999), 286-338. [
• Bitely, Emily – Daly, Kevin – Jacob, Rob – Larson, Stephanie, Geophysical Explorations on and near the Ismenion Hill, Thebes, Greece, 2011.