Andrea Scianna

Experimental BIM Applications in Archaeology: A Work-Flow

In the last few decades various conceptual models, methods and techniques have been studied to allow 3D digital access to Cultural Heritage (CH). Among these is BIM (Building Information Modeling): originally built up for construction projects, it has been already experimented in the CH domain, but not enough in the archaeological field. This paper illustrates a framework to create 3D archaeological models integrated with databases using BIM. The models implemented are queryable by the connection with a Relational Database Management System and sharable on the web. Parametric solid and semantic models are integrated with 3D standardized database models that are finally manageable in the public cloud. The BIM application’s work-flow here described has been experimented on the Roman structures inside the Crypt of St. Sergius and Bacchus Church (Rome). The experiment has highlighted capabilities and limitations of BIM applications in the archaeological domain.

GIS Infomobility for Travellers

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are essential systems to support decisions on territorial and environmental aspects. But they not always have been properly used for this purpose. Only in recent years GIS have been getting better used for the planning, management and control of the territory. The application of GIS to the transport sector has become relevant both for management and decision-making in support of Public Administration (PA) and citizens. GIS are particularly useful for roads and routing graphs management capabilities as well as for searching the most suitable path. The results achieved in this research activity aimed to evaluate different road graphs, proprietary and free ones, in order to compare calculated distances and travel times.

Definition of a Workflow for Web Browsing of 3D Models in Archaeology

The Cultural Heritage (CH) is a fundamental element of promotion of territories and of tourism development. Publishing 3D models of archaeological sites and their three-dimensional reconstruction on the Web is one of the best ways to spread their knowledge. However, many recent scientific researches in this field have highlighted the limitations and difficulties related to the networking of interactive 3D models. The main difficulties are related to the complexity and the size of models, which influence the access speed, and the cost of software and hardware needed for the publication on the WEB. In light of this background, this article describes the further advances of research activities carried out at GISLAB CNR-UNIPA for creating interactive 3D models of archaeological sites, accessible and navigable with a Web browser, fully compliant with HTML5. This system includes also the surrounding landscape, essential to analyze and understand the close relationship between human settlements and the surrounding geographical contexts. Such models don’t need specific app for navigation but are accessible on the WEB via the WebGL open source libraries, compliant with the most popular Web browsers (Firefox, Safari and Chrome). The system consists of a headboard multimedia platform tested on Mokarta archaeological site (Trapani, Sicily). The user can explore the 3D model of the archaeological site in its current state, its virtual reconstruction, and the historical documentation. This application has highlighted the great potential and the limits of the sharing of complex 3D models via the Web, opening new scenarios for the purpose of valorization of the archaeological heritage through the use of effective technologies and reduction of costs, opening new themes of further research.