Humanities Heritage 3D Visualization: Theory and Practice

FAIN: HT-50074-12

Arkansas State University, Main Campus (Jonesboro, AR 72403-0600)
Alyson Ann Gill (Project Director: March 2012 to April 2014)

A training institute in practical and theoretical approaches to 3D real-time visualization of cultural heritage sites for twenty humanities scholars.

The past thirty years have seen a tremendous upsurge in the use of digital modeling in archaeology as well as in projects and applications based in the humanities. Digital representations can create new forms of visual knowledge, which in turn can lead to new research streams. As such, digital models have become increasingly important tools in a wide range of applications. Despite the power of these models as representational and visualization tools, the tools themselves are often difficult to use and not easily accessible by the novice. This proposal is for a 'digital toolbox' that bridges this gap. A unique feature of this institute is the incorporation of visits to Arkansas State University heritage sites modeled by the University's Center for Digital Initiatives. Beyond this, in bringing together an impressive group of lecturers working in the digital humanities, the institute itself would create an important resource in the form of a community of scholars, encouraging future collaborations between individuals and universities.