Digital Method for Verifying Archaeological Hypotheses. Medieval Gord Under Pułtusk Castle

Abstract

This paper describes the process of collaboration between architects and archaeologists started in 2012 on the virtual reconstruction of the medieval proto-urban site in Pultusk, Poland. The result was digital reconstruction of urban structure based on parametric methods supported by 3D printing. The paper summarizes the process consisting of organizing analog data, digitizing it, enriching with experts’ knowledge and creating procedural model of the settlement. The whole process ended with not only digital and physical, 3D printed model, but also a set of conclusions confirming usefulness of such methods in scientific research concerning interpretation of archaeological relicts in situation, when not all information is available and clear. Both archaeological practice and the process of architectural reconstruction confirm that reliability of scientific research and the regime of logical reasoning are independent from used technology, however they may be effectively supported by new methods and tools.

Keywords

• Procedural modeling
• Virtual reconstruction
• Virtual archaeology
• 3D printing