A virtual reality system to recreate the archaeological experience using data and 3D models from the neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, in Anatolia, Turkey.
Project Team
- Emmanuel Shiferaw,ECE/CS, Duke University
- Cheng Ma , ME/CS, Duke University
- Regis Kopper, DiVE, Duke University
- Maurizio Forte, AAHVS, Duke University
- Nicola Lercari, World Heritage, UC Merced
Project Objectives
- Develop archaeological VRapp containing models of real site.
- Allow manipulation of artifacts/”digging” within system.
Description
- Can view information from existing archaeological database contextually, in 3D space, for objects documented by field archaeologists.
- Allows for measurement, analysis of artifacts and land on-site.
- Built for Oculus and DiVE.
- For DiVE, companion apps built for Google Glass and iPad, which dynamically display information from Catalhoyuk site database relating to feature being examined.
Workflow
- Digital Archaeologists capture 3D models of dig site and landscape through image-based modeling (photogrammetry), laser scanning, LIDAR, etc.
- 3D models of site, artifacts, are imported into Unity3D game engine, where:
- Interactions and display are built to allow analysis and discovery within the application.
- Application is built with Oculus Rift as head mounted-display, and Razer Hydra tracked wands as input devices.
Download the project poster (PDF).