19-10-2012, 05:06 PM
GeoSCAPE: Designing a Reconstructive Tool for Field Archaeological Excavation
[attachment=36741]
ABSTRACT
We introduce GeoSCAPE, a “reconstructive” tool for
capturing measurement data in field archaeology and
facilitating a 3D visualization of an excavation rendered in
computer graphics. This project is carried out by extending
a recently developed an orientation-aware digital measuring
tape, called HandSCAPE that has been examined to address
the efficiency of bridging measuring and modeling for onsite
application areas [2]. In this paper, we present the
GeoSCAPE system using the same digital tape measure
interacting with an enhancing archaeological-specific 3D
visualizations the goal is to provide visual reconstruction
methods by acquiring accurate field measurements and
visualizing the complex work of an archaeologist during
the course of on-site excavation.
INTRODUCTION
Archaeological fieldwork is a cognitive activity because
archaeologists virtually reconstruct ancient structures and
activities on the basis of chromatic differences, patterns,
terrain compositions, shapes and found object. With the
advent of computer technology, various tools have been
developed to archive and visualize the archaeological sites
in 3D graphics. These graphical tools also allow people to
navigate the past through interactive views of the site by
VRML, QTVR, Quick Time Movie. [1]
How to reconstruct
To reconstruct a virtual model of an archaeological site,
archaeologists define the acquisition of excavated data in
the field using hand written measurements, notes, and
photography. In order to present correct perceptions and
hypothesis of the predictive reconstructed models, they
interpret the data set outlined follows: artifacts, features,
echo-facts, sites and region. The computer reconstructions
are used for the presentation of complex information in a
visual way allowing models to be progressively tested and
refined over the course of an excavation without the
destructive means of exploring the site [4].
DESIGN IMPLICATION
We presented an initiative step augmenting a traditional
measuring tape with a rapid 3D modeling visualization of
non-desktop measuring application using HandSCAPE [2].
As one of the on-site applications, we have developed the
GeoSCAPE system (Fig. 1). The primary focus was to
provide a natural and convenient tool for getting the field
measurement data and visualizing them on 3D graphics in
real time.
After presenting GeoSCAPE to archaeologists, we have
also realized that archaeologists are more interested in
integrating the excavated data together with spatial 3D
visualizations. Because a site is often destroyed in order to
uncover new information, it is very essential to better
visualize the progress of excavation on screen.
A RECONSTRUCTIVE TOOL
The input device chosen for this project is HandSCAPE
that digitizes field measurements to visualize the magnitude
and direction of the resulting vectors with 3D graphics.
Using embedded orientation-sensing hardware, it captures
relevant vector information on each linear measurement
and transmits this data wirelessly to a remote computer in
real-time. GeoSCAPE then analyzes this data by using
trigonometry to define vector equations in Cartesian
coordinates. These vectors are applied to create artifacts in
3D graphics, while the excavation is being performed.
With efficiency and speed, GeoSCAPE allows the user to
transmit the relative size and 3D position to a computer. As
the user measures arti-facts in real space the representation
of the artifacts appear on the computer screen in real time.
This synchronicity between measurement retrieval and
modeling facilitates analysis of field archaeological excavation.
FUTURE WORK and CONCLUSIONS
We are currently working on connecting GeoSCAPE to an
archaeological database. This database is used to browse
both images and notes linked to each box that represents
the artifacts found. We also plan to conduct a field test
using GeosCAPE in an actual excavation site since there
are numerous demands from archaeologists.
In conclusion, we have presented GeoSCAPE that allows
archaeologists with immediate access of information
pertinent to the objects being viewed and enabling the
excavator to better visualize the site spatially. This timely
and accurate result would verify clear interpretations while
the excavators obtains increments of information on-site.
This new way of using reconstructive tool significantly
improves collaboration between on-site and laboratory
archaeological research.
[attachment=36741]
ABSTRACT
We introduce GeoSCAPE, a “reconstructive” tool for
capturing measurement data in field archaeology and
facilitating a 3D visualization of an excavation rendered in
computer graphics. This project is carried out by extending
a recently developed an orientation-aware digital measuring
tape, called HandSCAPE that has been examined to address
the efficiency of bridging measuring and modeling for onsite
application areas [2]. In this paper, we present the
GeoSCAPE system using the same digital tape measure
interacting with an enhancing archaeological-specific 3D
visualizations the goal is to provide visual reconstruction
methods by acquiring accurate field measurements and
visualizing the complex work of an archaeologist during
the course of on-site excavation.
INTRODUCTION
Archaeological fieldwork is a cognitive activity because
archaeologists virtually reconstruct ancient structures and
activities on the basis of chromatic differences, patterns,
terrain compositions, shapes and found object. With the
advent of computer technology, various tools have been
developed to archive and visualize the archaeological sites
in 3D graphics. These graphical tools also allow people to
navigate the past through interactive views of the site by
VRML, QTVR, Quick Time Movie. [1]
How to reconstruct
To reconstruct a virtual model of an archaeological site,
archaeologists define the acquisition of excavated data in
the field using hand written measurements, notes, and
photography. In order to present correct perceptions and
hypothesis of the predictive reconstructed models, they
interpret the data set outlined follows: artifacts, features,
echo-facts, sites and region. The computer reconstructions
are used for the presentation of complex information in a
visual way allowing models to be progressively tested and
refined over the course of an excavation without the
destructive means of exploring the site [4].
DESIGN IMPLICATION
We presented an initiative step augmenting a traditional
measuring tape with a rapid 3D modeling visualization of
non-desktop measuring application using HandSCAPE [2].
As one of the on-site applications, we have developed the
GeoSCAPE system (Fig. 1). The primary focus was to
provide a natural and convenient tool for getting the field
measurement data and visualizing them on 3D graphics in
real time.
After presenting GeoSCAPE to archaeologists, we have
also realized that archaeologists are more interested in
integrating the excavated data together with spatial 3D
visualizations. Because a site is often destroyed in order to
uncover new information, it is very essential to better
visualize the progress of excavation on screen.
A RECONSTRUCTIVE TOOL
The input device chosen for this project is HandSCAPE
that digitizes field measurements to visualize the magnitude
and direction of the resulting vectors with 3D graphics.
Using embedded orientation-sensing hardware, it captures
relevant vector information on each linear measurement
and transmits this data wirelessly to a remote computer in
real-time. GeoSCAPE then analyzes this data by using
trigonometry to define vector equations in Cartesian
coordinates. These vectors are applied to create artifacts in
3D graphics, while the excavation is being performed.
With efficiency and speed, GeoSCAPE allows the user to
transmit the relative size and 3D position to a computer. As
the user measures arti-facts in real space the representation
of the artifacts appear on the computer screen in real time.
This synchronicity between measurement retrieval and
modeling facilitates analysis of field archaeological excavation.
FUTURE WORK and CONCLUSIONS
We are currently working on connecting GeoSCAPE to an
archaeological database. This database is used to browse
both images and notes linked to each box that represents
the artifacts found. We also plan to conduct a field test
using GeosCAPE in an actual excavation site since there
are numerous demands from archaeologists.
In conclusion, we have presented GeoSCAPE that allows
archaeologists with immediate access of information
pertinent to the objects being viewed and enabling the
excavator to better visualize the site spatially. This timely
and accurate result would verify clear interpretations while
the excavators obtains increments of information on-site.
This new way of using reconstructive tool significantly
improves collaboration between on-site and laboratory
archaeological research.