Methods for developing 3D visualizations of archaeological data: a case study of the early bronze age Helike Corridor House

Abstract

The Digital Helike Project aims at the digitization of archaeological data from the Helike Project, Achaia, Greece. This paper advances understanding of Early Bronze Age house building techniques with focus on corridor houses. The Helike Corridor House is a fine example of an architectural style of the Early Helladic period EH II/Early EH III on the Greek mainland and it is used here as a case study. A methodology for 3D reconstruction is described supporting both structural integrity simulations and advanced visualization studies. The paper focuses on three aspects: firstly, it highlights technological innovations in the Bronze Age period by drawing attention to structural integrity studies recently carried out by the research team; secondly, it describes a methodology for building fully geo-referenced 3D models supporting structural integrity studies and visualization on GIS-Geographic Information Systems; and thirdly, it leads to the universal access of data and visualization over the Internet through the selection of appropriate open source, open standards and freely available tools and applications. The methodologies proposed here deepen insights on archaeological data enabling new inferences and knowledge to be gained through the implementation of universally shared low cost applications. ARTICLE HISTORY

Mainland Cosmopolitanism and the Rise of Personal Prestige: New Evidence From the Coastal Early Helladic Town of Helike, North-West Peloponnese, Greece

“…More specifically, the analysis addressed the technical choices made for the addition of the corridors and the arrangement of staircases inside the stairwells, and the estimation of loads exerted on the side walls from the addition of a second floor. The results have demonstrated (Kormann et al forthcoming; Kormann et al 2016) the dynamic and technically sophisticated practices observed during the implementation of the project, which implies extensive experience of building techniques and relevant advances (Fig. 11).…”

Resolving Dimensions: A Comparison Between ERT Imaging and 3D Modelling of the Barge Crowie, South Australia

“…An alternative approach to creating a 3D model of a sunken vessel is by combining historic photos, measurements and descriptions from the literature to create a virtual reconstruction. This approach provides an important comparison to other forms of 3D modelling, such as photogrammetry or laser scanning, the results of which can be used to answer archaeological questions and to provide an effective tool for public engagement (i.e., Kormann et al 2017;Plets et al 2009).…”