3D4Delphi Research Project launched!

Modeling archaeological uncertainty by combining modern 3D surveying methods for scientific documentation and promotion of cultural heritage – Application in the archaeological site of Delphi

We are excited to announce that, after a long anticipated approval decision, our 3D4Delphi Research Project is finally starting! You are invited to check what it is about. More information to be published as the Project progresses.

The partners

The 3D4Delphi concept

The objective of the 3D4Delphi project is the development of new innovative methods of documentation, analysis and promotion of cultural heritage monuments combining modern techniques of 3D surveying and mathematical modeling of archaeological uncertainty, with its integration in the three-dimensional reconstruction of archaeological monuments itself.

In archaeological representation, it is common to create diverse scenarios of the original state of a monument and to revise such plans based on more recent information.

In the area of Delphi, there are important monuments which inherently communicate elements of uncertainty regarding the reconstruction of their past form. For these monuments, diverse non-invasive 3D data capture techniques will be applied, through terrestrial and aerial (via drone or UAV) imagery, laser scanners or optical scanners of varied principles of operation, ranges and accuracies, the results of which will be integrated,  in order to be optimally used for the scientific documentation of cultural heritage.

Then, based upon the 3D captured data, the development of mathematical models of archaeological uncertainty will be conducted in relation to the potential form of an archeological structure in the past. This will provide multiple variants of three-dimensional reconstructions based on historical data and excavation findings, which will offer a whole new set of uses for archaeological 3D models that will broaden the horizons of archaeological research, such as investigating archaeological hypotheses, comparing uncertainties between different models, and identifying areas where further archaeological research may be required. 

The results and the three-dimensional documentation and reconstruction methods that will emerge from this project will be presented in a pilot interactive demonstration setup, that will be designed and installed at the Museum of Delphi. Furthermore, the 3D documentation methods will provide the basis for the development of Augmented Reality (AR) applications, implemented with modern software development tools.

Visitors will have the opportunity to browse the archaeological site while receiving, on a mobile phone or on a specialized AR display, 3D information in relation to the archaeological monuments as they may have existed in the past, including elements of archaeological uncertainty, combined with real-world exhibits, so that they can acquire the sense of “cultural experience” and broaden their knowledge.