Collaborative and Multi-Modal Mixed Reality for Enhancing Cultural Learning in Virtual Heritage

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Diachronic Reconstruction and Visualization of Lost Cultural Heritage Sites

25 p.Cultural heritage (CH) documentation is essential for the study and promotion of CH assets/sites, and provides a way of transmitting knowledge about heritage to future generations. The integration of the fourth dimension into geospatial datasets enables generating a diachronic model of CH elements, namely, a set of three-dimensional (3D) models to represent their evolution in various historical phases. The enhanced four-dimensional (4D) modeling (3D plus time) pursues a better understanding of the CH scenario, enriching historical hypotheses as well as contributing to the conservation and decision-making process. Although new geomatic techniques have reduced the amount of fieldwork, when put together, the geometric and temporal dimensions imply the interpretation of heterogeneous historical information sources and their integration. However, this situation could reach a critical point when the study elements are no longer present. The main challenge is to harmonize the different historical and archaeological data sources that are available with the current remains in order to graphically rebuild and model the lost CH assets with a high degree of reliability. Moreover, 4D web visualization is a great way to disclose the CH information and cultural identity. Additionally, it will serve as a basis to perform simulations of possible future risks or changes that can happen during planned or hypothetical restoration processes. This paper aims to examine the study case of a diachronic reconstruction by means of a mobile laser system (MLS) and reverse modeling techniques for a lost urban CH element: the citadel or Alcázar gate of Ávila. Within this aim, the final model is evaluated in terms of the consistency of the historical sources to assess its suitability considering the constructive interpretations that are required to integrate heterogenous data sources. Moreover, geometric modeling is evaluated regarding the current remains and its surroundings. Finally, a web 4D viewer is presented for its dissemination and publicity. This paper is an extended and improved version of our paper that was published in the 2018 ISPRS Technical Commission II Symposium, Riva del Garda, Italy, 3–7 June 2018.S

Navigating Generative Artificial Intelligence Promises and Perils for Knowledge and Creative Work

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is rapidly becoming a viable tool to enhance productivity and act as a catalyst for innovation across various sectors. Its ability to perform tasks that have traditionally required human judgment and creativity is transforming knowledge and creative work. Yet it also raises concerns and implications that could reshape the very landscape of knowledge and creative work. In this editorial, we undertake an in-depth examination of both the opportunities and challenges presented by GenAI for future IS research

Shaking Heritage

Any moment the earth can shake, but we do not know when or where. If it happens, our Heritage might be in danger. Shaking Heritage addresses the topic of the seismic vulnerability of museum collections. It develops a way to assess the seismic risks for movable Heritage, proposing a synthetic method to rate the vulnerable settings. It discusses the necessity of integrating museography and anti-seismic solutions for museums and exhibitions, and studies exhibit solutions that would improve the seismic safety of collections and setups. It stresses the necessity of constructing shared guidelines and policies for the safety of the movable Heritage. Shaking Heritage is a step forward in acknowledging the importance of the anti-seismic culture among museum institutions and researchers

Una máscara teatral de doble cara preservada en el museo de Lipari (Mesina): estudio y reconstrucción 3d mediante equipo portátil

[EN] The new tools for 3D survey and modelling (as portable scanners and software packages), often in combination with diagnostics, are nowadays able to provide indispensable elements for the study of archaeological artefacts; their applications to museum’s heritage can be also useful to integrate the traditional graphic documentation and contribute to enhancement and dissemination. This paper shows the benefit of using the aforementioned tools to study the peculiar clay mask No. 11114-E, discovered in 1973 in the Greek necropolis of Lipára, inside tomb No. 1558. The specimen, now exhibited in the Classical Section of the Aeolian Museum, is considered unique both in the Aeolian Islands and in the ancient Greek world, as it is the only one merging two half faces attributable to different characters. This feature, unknown at the time of discovery, has been highlighted in 2018, thanks to a restoration intervention by which a hard concretion layer covering a large portion of the mask surface was removed, bringing to light a smiling young half-face next to an old one with Silenic features. In 2019, the mask was surveyed in situ through a portable and performing laser-scanner arm (the QuantumTM FaroArm by FARO) to produce a high-resolution 3D model useful to enhance the reading of the two halves (not evident enough, due to its state of preservation). The data processing was performed using the Geomagic Wrap software, able to align and merge multiple scans into a single model and to export results in multiple formats, easily shareable and viewable in free software or via the web. Finally, thanks to this method, the successful generation of a digital replica was performed; the resulting replica is useful for dissemination and as a support for the hypothetical reconstruction of the two prototypes taken as models by the craftsman who created the mask.Highlights:A 'mobile laboratory’ consisting of portable equipment has been set up to perform 3D metric surveys on a selection of artefacts preserved at the Museum of Lipari.By means of an ultra-precision laser-scanner arm, a 3D survey on a miniaturistic double-faced mask, belonging to the classical theatrical terracotta, has been performed.A geometrically accurate and realistic 3D final model has been created. This helped the study and reconstruction of the two characters composing the mask.[ES] Las nuevas herramientas para el levantamiento y el modelado en 3D (como son los escáneres portátiles y los paquetes de software), a menudo en combinación con equipos diagnósticos, pueden hoy en día proporcionar elementos indispensables para el estudio de objetos arqueológicos; sus aplicaciones al patrimonio del museo también pueden ser útiles para integrar la documentación gráfica tradicional y contribuir a su mejora y divulgación. Este artículo se refiere al estudio de un hallazgo peculiar procedente de la necrópolis griega de Lipára: la máscara de arcilla nº. 11114-E, descubierta en 1973 en el interior de la tumba nº. 1558 y ahora exhibida en la Sección Clásica del Museo Eólica. El espécimen se considera único, tanto en las Islas Eolias como en el mundo griego antiguo, ya que es la única que fusiona dos mitades atribuibles a diferentes personajes. Esta característica, desconocida en el momento del descubrimiento, se ha destacado en 2018, gracias a la intervención de restauración mediante la cual se ha eliminado una capa dura que cubre gran parte de la superficie de la máscara, sacando a la luz una media cara sonriente y joven, junto a una cara que muestra indicadores de vejez con rasgos selénicos. En 2019, la máscara se levantó in situ con un brazo de escáner láser portátil y funcional (FaroArm QuantumTM de FARO), con el objetivo de generar un modelo 3D de alta resolución útil que mejorara la lectura de las dos mitades (no visible debido a su estado de conservación). El procesamiento de datos se ha llevado a cabo empleando el software Geomagic Wrap capaz de alinear y fusionar múltiples escaneados en un solo modelo y exportarlo en múltiples formatos, fácilmente compartibles y visibles en software libre o vía web. Este método permitió, finalmente, la generación de una réplica digital que podría servir tanto para su divulgación, como de soporte que permita la reconstrucción hipotética de los dos prototipos que presumiblemente fueron de modelo para el artesano al crear la máscara.The writing of this paper was supported by the project “IDEHA-Innovation for Data Elaboration in Heritage Areas” (DUS.AD017.087).Giuffrida, D.; Mollica Nardo, V.; Adinolfi, O.; Mastelloni, MA.; Ponterio, RC. (2021). A theatrical double-faced mask preserved at the Museum of Lipari (Messina): study and 3D reconstruction through portable equipment. Virtual Archaeology Review. 12(24):39-48. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2021.13916OJS39481224Alby, E., Vigouroux, E., & Elter, R. (2019). Implementation of survey and three-dimensional monitoring of archaeological excavations of the Khirbat al-Dusaq site, Jordan. 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A combined study of art works preserved in the archaeological museums: 3D survey, spectroscopic approach and augmented reality. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLII-2/W11, 201-207. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-2-W11-201-2019Bearzot C., Landucci F., & Zecchini G. (2007). L'Onomasticòn di Giulio Polluce: tra lessicografia e antiquaria, vita e pensiero. Italy: Vicenza.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (1981). Menandro e il teatro greco nelle terracotte liparesi. Genova: SAGEP.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (1991). Meligunìs Lipára, V. Scavi nella necropoli greca di Lipari. Roma: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (1965). Meligunìs Lipára, II. La necropoli greca e romana nella contrada Diana. Palermo.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (2000). Meligunìs Lipára, X. Scoperte e scavi archeologici nell'area urbana e suburbana di Lipari. Roma: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (2001). Maschere e personaggi del teatro greco nelle terrecotte liparesi. Roma: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., & Cavalier, M. (2001). Meligunis Lipara. XI. Gli scavi nella necropoli greca e romana di Lipari nell'are del terreno vescovile. Palermo: L'Erma di Bretschneider.Bernabò Brea, L., (1974). Maschere della commedia nuova di Lipari e di Centuripe. Dioniso», 45(1971/74), 167-180.Bernabò Brea, L., Coen, C., & Descœudres J. (1992). Masks and characters of the Greek theatre in the terracottas of ancient Lipara. Mediterranean Archaeology, 5/6, 23-31. https://www.jstor.org/stable/i24666700Bertacchini, P. A., Bilotta, E., Pantano, P. S., Battiato, S., Cronin, M., Blasi, G. D., Talarico A., & Tavernise, A. (2007). Modelling and Animation of Theatrical Greek Masks in an Authoring System. Eurographics Italian Chapter Conference, Trento, Italy. https://doi.org/10.2312/LocalChapterEvents/ItalChap/ItalianChapConf2007/191-198Bitossi, G., Giorgi, R., Mauro, M., Salvadori, B., & Dei, L., (2006). Spectroscopic techniques in cultural heritage conservation: a survey. Journal Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, 40(3), 187-228. https://doi.org/10.1081/ASR-200054370Cavalier, M. 1999. La fondazione della Lipàra cnidia, in La colonisation grecque en Méditerranée occidentale, Actes de la rencontre scientifique en hommage à Georges Vallet (pp. 293-302). Rome.Clementi, C., Miliani, C., Romani, A., Santamaria, U., Morresi F., Mlynarska, K., Favaro, G. (2009). In-situ fluorimetry A powerful non-invasive diagnostic technique for natural dyes used in artefacts. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 71(5), 2057- 2062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2008.08.006Crisà, A. 2008. Maschere teatrali nella Sicilia settentrionale: tra collezionismo antiquario e ricerca archeologica Stratagemmi. Prospettive Teatrali 8, 11-45.De Cesare, M., & Portale, E. C., (2019). Maschere e imagerie teatrale nella necropoli liparese di IV-III sec. a.C.: oggetti e immagini in contesto. Scienze dell'Antichità, 24(3), 99-139.Fatta, F., Marraffa, A. (2018). The Classical Theatre and the Material Culture. The Example of Lipari's Masks. In: Amoruso G. (eds) Putting Tradition into Practice: Heritage, Place and Design. INTBAU 2017. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 3. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57937-5_70Fazio, L., & Lo Brutto, M. (2020), 3D survey for the archaeological study and virtual reconstruction of the "Sanctuary of Isis" in the ancient Lilybaeum (Italy). Virtual Archaeology Review, 11(22), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2020.11928Giuffrida D., Mollica Nardo, V., Giacobello, F., Adinolfi, O., Mastelloni, M. A., Toscano, G., & Ponterio R. C. (2019). 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On the Combination of Remote Sensing and Geophysical Methods for the Digitalization of the San Lázaro Middle Paleolithic Rock Shelter (Segovia, Central Iberia, Spain)

This paper is focused on the Middle Paleolithic rock shelter called “Abrigo de San Lázaro”, placed in the Eresma River valley (Segovia, Spain). In this area, a multisource geomatic approach is used. On the one hand, the external envelope of the shelter has been digitalized by the means of an efficient combination between aerial photogrammetry and laser scanning (static and mobile). On the other hand, the ground penetrating radar and the electric tomography were used with the aim of evaluating the inner disposition of the shelter. The combination of both digitalization (external and internal) has allowed for improving the knowledge of the site characteristics that, in turn, will facilitate the future excavation works. The results of these studies allow archaeologists to know new data for a better understanding of the site formation (geology of the site, sedimentary potential, rock shelter dimensions, etc.) and the events that took place in it (knowing its historical evolution, especially the interaction between man and the environment). Additionally, the information obtained from these studies is very useful to plan future excavation works on the site

A framework for surface metrology on Cultural Heritage objects based on scanning conoscopic holography

L'applicazione della metrologia di superficie e dell'analisi dimensionale allo studio dei beni culturali può rivelare importanti informazioni sull'oggetto e favorire l'integrazione di molteplici tecniche diagnostiche. Tuttavia, l'applicazione di queste discipline ai Beni Culturali richiede particolari requisiti e attenzioni. In questa tesi, presento i risultati dell'implementazione di diversi sistemi di misurazione della superficie basati sul principio della conoscopia olografica. I senori conoscopici sono strumenti capaci di misurare distanze con precisione micrometrica a scale diverse, accoppiati a slitte micrometriche possono essere utilizzati per acquisire scansioni areali dell'oggetto in esame. Per facilitare la loro applicazione alle opere d'arte ho sviluppato un extit{framework} per applicare la metrologia di superficie ai beni culturali. Il framework copre diversi aspetti del processo di analisi ed utilizzo dei dati e comprende la creazione di raccolte di campioni, le strategie per la scansione dell'oggetto, l'archiviazione e l'analisi dei dati ed eventualmente l'incertezza legata alla misura. Il extit{framework} mira a rendere più accessibile l'implementazione della metrologia di superficie e dei sistemi di scansione dell'analisi dimensionale per l'analisi dei beni culturali. I risultati raccolti su una varietà di materiali artistici (metalli, dipinti su tavola, tela, carta, pergamena e dipinti murali) mostrano come questi sistemi possano essere utilizzati per monitorare gli effetti delle procedure di pulitura, la stabilità dimensionale delle opere d'arte ed il loro invecchiamento.The application of surface metrology and dimensional analysis to the study of artworks can reveal important information on the object and aid the integration of multiple techniques. However, the application of these disciplines to Cultural Heritage objects necessitates particular care and requirements. In this dissertation, I present the results of the implementation of different systems, based on Conoscopic Holography range finders, for measuring the surface. Conoscopic holography range finders are viable instruments for measuring distances with micrometer accuracy at different scales, coupled with micrometric stages they can be used for acquiring areal scans of the object under investigation. To ease their application to artworks I built a framework for applying surface metrology to Cultural Heritage objects. The framework covers different aspects of the research workflow comprising the creation of samples collections, the strategies for scanning the object, the storing and the analysis of the data and eventually the uncertainty linked to the measurement. This framework aims to make more accessible the implementation of surface metrology and dimensional analysis scanning systems tailored to the analysis of Cultural Heritage objects. The results collected on a variety of artworks materials (metals, panels painting, canvas, paper, parchment and mural paintings) show how these systems can be used for monitoring the effects of cleaning procedures, the dimensional stability of the artworks and their ageing

Three-dimensional scanning as a means of archiving sculptures

Thesis (M. Tech. Design technology) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011This dissertation outlines a procedural scanning process using the portable ZCorporation ZScanner® 700 and provides an overview of the developments surrounding 3D scanning technologies; specifically their application for archiving Cultural Heritage sites and projects. The procedural scanning process is structured around the identification of 3D data recording variables applicable to the digital archiving of an art museum’s collection of sculptures. The outlining of a procedural 3D scanning environment supports the developing technology of 3D digital archiving in view of artefact preservation and interactive digital accessibility. Presented in this paper are several case studies that record 3D scanning variables such as texture, scale, surface detail, light and data conversion applicable to varied sculptural surfaces and form. Emphasis is placed on the procedural documentation and the anomalies associated with the physical object, equipment used, and the scanning environment. In support of the above, the Cultural Heritage projects that are analyzed prove that 3D portable scanning could provide digital longevity and access to previously inaccessible arenas for a diverse range of digital data archiving infrastructures. The development of 3D data acquisition via scanning, CAD modelling and 2D to 3D data file conversion technologies as well as the aesthetic effect and standards of digital archiving in terms of the artwork – viewer relationship and international practices or criterions of 3D digitizing are analysed. These projects indicate the significant use of optical 3D scanning techniques and their employ on renowned historical artefacts thus emphasizing their importance, safety and effectiveness. The aim with this research is to establish that the innovation and future implications of 3D scanning could be instrumental to future technological advancement in an interdisciplinary capacity to further data capture and processing in various Cultural Heritage diagnostic applications

Atti del IX Convegno Annuale dell'Associazione per l'Informatica Umanistica e la Cultura Digitale (AIUCD). La svolta inevitabile: sfide e prospettive per l'Informatica Umanistica

Proceedings of the IX edition of the annual AIUCD conferenc