Virtual Archaeology, Virtual Longhouses and "Envisioning the Unseen"

[Imperial Dave]

http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6567&context=etd

the examples used relate to the 16th C but the detail and depth to which modern techniques are applied is well worth the read. The future of archaeology or at least the interpretation of archaeological finds....?

[Erpingham]

http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6567&context=etd

the examples used relate to the 16th C but the detail and depth to which modern techniques are applied is well worth the read. The future of archaeology or at least the interpretation of archaeological finds....?

Well, I read the abstract and decided not to read anymore   Not the concepts but the way they were expressed.

However, if you follow up the internet links, you get

http://theskonkworks.com/virtual-archaeology/

Which tells you about developing the project in smaller words and lots of pictures

I'm not convinced this is the future of archaeology.  It is very good for engaging the public though, especially the younger generation who are used to interacting with the world through game technology.  There was a similar but rather more limited idea at the Viking Exhibition in York earlier this year - you could stand and look round but not move through a Viking camp. 

I can see it having a research aspect, as you could use it to envisage the interrelation of building etc. While a lot of the detail is reconstruction, the physical relationship of structures and the space is based on excavation.  Being able to "walk" through a site may help to interpret it.

[Imperial Dave]

definitely interesting for the 'layman' in terms of visualisation and I have to hold my hand up and include myself in that bracket. As you say, for some it may be a useful tool and for others a 'toy'