Heritage (Jul 2022)
Integration of Laser Scanner, Ground-Penetrating Radar, 3D Models and Mixed Reality for Artistic, Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Dissemination
Abstract
Three-dimensional digital acquisition techniques can be useful in archaeology because they make a further technological contribution to the visualization of finds and structures. The possibility of integrating three-dimensional models from different acquisition systems (laser scanner, UAV, reflex and Georadar) is even more exciting. One of the peculiarities of these integration techniques is the possibility of promoting the dissemination of knowledge through virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, given the widespread use of mobile devices. This does not mean, of course, that with the mere creation of a 3D model (and allowing it to be viewed in 3D), the public automatically obtains more information about heritage. In fact, visiting a cultural heritage site in person allows one to receive much more information on finds and structures. However, if this is not possible, technologies that use 3D Virtual Reality help to provide a small knowledge base to those who cannot use the museum. We underline the importance of an integrated visualization from an archaeological and architectural perspective to obtain understanding of the structure with the integration of the two models with different data. The work that we present is part of a multidisciplinary project to recover and disseminate information about the Reggio Calabria’s (southern Italy) artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage. This work’s goal is the realization of a unique 3D model of the church “Madonna dei Poveri” (3D model of a buried part with 3D model of visible parts) by combining different geomatics techniques to show and investigate the interior and exterior parts (3D model obtained by laser scanner and photogrammetry), and the underground crypts (3D model obtained by Georadar), which are lying below the present surface and are no longer accessible due to coverage by post-depositional processes (Georadar). Finally, an app (using augmented reality and virtual reality) and a first experimentation of Mixed Reality is developed for the dissemination of the archaeological and cultural heritage information on the area of interest.
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