13DOM (3D Optical Metrology), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy2Archaeological Heritage Office of Saxony, Dresden, Germany

3Core-consult GmbH & Co. KG, Dresden, Germany

Farella E.M1., Remondino F. 1, Lobinger C. 2, Hemker C. 2, Schulenkorf P. 3

VIRTUALIZE TO VALORIZE THE HIDDEN HERITAGE

- The VirtualArch Project -

Nowadays the protection and the valorization of archaeological heritage is recognized as one of the most strategic pillars of the European socio-economic and cultural

growth. However, some heritage are often hardly visible and tangible to the public. The VirtualArch project (Visualize to Valorize – For a

better utilization of hidden archaeological heritage in Central Europe) aims to reveal hidden and forgotten heritage (underwater, under

forest, underground and as pile dwelling) in 8 pilot areas using 3D technologies and AR/VR visualization tools by involving local and

regional stakeholders and public actors which are responsible for the economic development of the areas.

Pile Dwelling

Underground and under forest

The 3D documentation

of underwater findings,

such as harbours, seawalls,

docks, is a very challenging task.

In the two pilot sites of Puck and

Sukošan photogrammetric

techniques have been employed. In

the Puck site hydro-acoustic surveys

were also conducted with a high-

resolution multi-beam sonar. The

obtained 3d models will be used for

the 3D reconstruction of ancient

structures, visualization purposes

and animations.

The remains of some

prehistoric pile dwellings are

partially visible in the

Ljubljansko site. The difficult

The underground pilot sites still show the evidence of ancient mining activities and

medieval settlements (Nitra site). The 3D documentation of these environments is

highly challenging because of their structure made of repeated narrow and dark

spaces. Photogrammetric techniques and active sensors were mainly employed for

the acquisition of 3D data. Several VR/AR tools will show the reconstruction of miners

work, different clothing and tools, everything enriched with different animations. In

the Nitra site the app will provide a reconstruction of the castle considering various

historical phases, the findings documented and some animated characters.

conservation of these remains is the

consequence of a dynamic environment

characterized also by lake level

variations. Geophysical surveys, UAV-

based photogrammetry and remote

sensing techniques have enriched the

available information and data.

Simplified 3D models will be used for

interactive maps, showing the spatial

distribution and size of the site.

Sukošan (Croatia) Ljubljansko Barje (Slovenia)

Nit

ra (

Slo

vakia

)U

tìn (C

zech R

epublic)

Civezzano (Italy) Hallst

att

(A

ust

ria)

Dippoldiswalde (Germany)

VirtualArch website

TLSClose RangePhotogrammetry

UAV-basedPhotogrammetry

Mobile-MappingSurvey

Hydro-AcousticSurvey

ALS TopographicSurvey

GNSS GeophysicalSurvey

Underwater

Puck (

Pola

nd)

This project is supported by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme funded under the European Regional Development Fund