Publishing Archaeology in 3D: Waterscapes in Etruscan and Roman Times (Vulci)

FAIN: FEL-282998-22

Maurizio Forte
Duke University (Durham, NC 27705-4677)

Research and writing of a digital publication on water infrastructures at Vulci, an ancient Etruscan site in Italy (10th c. BCE- 5th CE).

The aim of this proposal is to publish a digital study of water infrastructures in the ancient city of Vulci based on 3D archaeological data: artifacts, monuments, maps and landscape reconstructions. Vulci (Viterbo, Italy, fl. 10th C. BCE- 5th C CE) was one most important cities of ancient Etruria, where thermal and mineral waters were considered to have healing properties. The Duke University’s 7-year fieldwork program has yielded a uniquely extensive collection of 3D models and remote sensing data. The digital publication will examine and interpret changes in the water infrastructure and water culture as they developed from Etruscan to Roman times, and the publication will share in accessible format the 3D data pertinent to the narrative in an integrated, multimodal format providing a holistic view unique in archaeology. It will expand knowledge of the Etruscan and Roman world and serve as a model for other publications with potential for broad impact in the humanities and beyond.

Associated Products

Single Publication (Open Access eBook or Collection)
Publication Type: Single Publication
Title: The Vulci Waterscape (in preparation)
Year: 2023
ISBN: n/a
Publisher: BAR-University of Michigan
Author: G.Morelli
Author: E.Biancifiori
Author: F.Fiocchi
Author: N.Danelon
Author: A.Conti
Author: E.Sartini
Author: L.Sagripanti
Author: A.Vivona
Author: D.Rogers
Author: A.LoPiano
Author: F.Celico
Author: R.Pinardi
Author: A.Mercuri
Author: A.Curci
Author: F.Fiori
Editor: Maurizio Forte
Abstract: Previous archeological excavations at Vulci (Etruscan then Roman city) focused heavily on aristocratic tombs, funerary art, and ritual monuments that have shown the power of elite classes and their capacity to trade with the Attic region (in Greece). By contrast, less than 5% of the ancient urban area has been excavated and no stratigraphic documentation of Vulci has been published in the last decades. The decision of the Duke University team to dig in the Southern region of the tufa (limestone) plateau (2014-2022) near the intersection between cardo and decumanus, or perpendicularly laid out thoroughfares) was determined by a preliminary GPR (ground penetrating radar) survey in the area which showed very deep deposits (over 2.5 m.) and the overlapping of several monumental structures. In particular, the last two years of excavations unveiled the presence of a large network of Etruscan and Roman water systems: wells, cisterns, channels, tunnels, pipes, pools, fountains. Additional archaeological finds, such as a large monumental complex with several rooms and key objects like Etruscan inscriptions, ritual bowls and lamps, sculptures, and raw coral, seem to corroborate the idea of pre-existing water cults in the Etruscan and Roman times. This monumental complex was built in the Imperial Roman age (1st cent.CE) but on top of Etruscan buildings. The presence of Etruscan votive objects seems to demonstrate the pre-existence of an Etruscan sanctuary dedicated to water cults because of the presence of raw coral (documented in other sanctuaries and temples along the Mediterranean). Water is an outstanding research topic in pre-Roman and Roman archaeology; in fact, the Etruscans considered water an essential factor for everyday life making it paramount in their religion. Etruscan water systems were reused and imitated by the Romans and characterized urban settings and sacred placed for the entire first millennium BCE. Duke excavations in Vulci show complex water systems, or
Primary URL Description: Water is an outstanding research topic in pre-Roman and Roman archaeology; in fact, the Etruscans considered water an essential factor for everyday life making it paramount in their religion. Etruscan water systems were reused and imitated by the Romans and characterized urban settings and sacred placed for the entire first millennium BCE. Duke excavations in Vulci show complex water systems, originally Etruscan, then upgraded in Roman times. The Duke research team documented for the first time in Southern Etruria a very large (about 40 cubic meters) intact cistern (stratigraphically excavated) in 3D, including all the correlated tunnels, occluded shafts, well curbstone, and feeding conduits.
Type: Multi-author monograph
Type: Edited Volume

Cronache Vulcenti (Exhibition)
Title: Cronache Vulcenti
Curator: Maurizio Forte
Curator: Laura Michetti
Curator: Alessandro Conti
Abstract: The exhibition was focused on the reconstruction and interpretation of the ancient city of Vulci starting from historical sources until digital mapping and virtual reality. In particular two digital installations were concerning the Vulci waterscape. The first one, based on Zspace holographic screens, was dedicated to the visualization of cisterns and water systems. The second one, based on Unity 3D and HP Omnicept R. G2 (VR headset) was dedicated to the virtual excavation of the site.
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://archeologiavocidalpassato.com/2022/05/25/roma-allodeion-museo-dellarte-classica-delluniversita-la-sapienza-ultimo-appuntamento-con-il-ciclo-di-incontri-cronache-vulcenti-e-inaugurazione/

The Vulci Waterscape (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Vulci Waterscape
Abstract: The Vulci waterscape project was presented in several public lectures: Rome, Sapienza; Paris, University Sorbonne Pantheon, University of Pisa, AIA conference, Vulci in Progress conference, University of Bologna, Third International Conference of Tourism Management& Heritage Conservation
Author: Maurizio Forte
Date: 05/01/2022
Location: different locations listed above

DIG@IT (Game/Simulation)
Title: DIG@IT
Author: Maurizio Forte
Abstract: The current VR software (Dig@IT) is able to display stratified layers of excavation, and users can fly around the virtual environment to explore different parts of the scene. In this project, we propose to extend Dig@IT, particularly incorporating remote sensing data captured using different techniques. For example, laser-based remote sensing generates volumetric datasets, with several meters of depth. We will design an immersive visualization tool to allow users to slice through the volumetric data, in order to explore the environment as it would have existed in different points in time. We will also incorporate, as has been done in the current iteration of Dig@IT, reconstructed models, but this time leveraging predictive modeling gathered from non-invasive remote sensing. The goal of the proposed extension to Dig@IT is to provide a seamless integration of reconstructed landscape and architecture gathered from remote sensing with the exact data models stemming from the excavation site. Ultimately, the user will wander through virtually reconstructed ancient cities and be able to explore current excavation sites as well as a simulated interpretation of what unexcavated areas would have been, based on predictive modeling gathered from remote sensing.
Year: 2022
Access Model: currently the tool is available only for the Duke community by lab subscription
Programming Language/Platform: Unity 3D
Source Available?: Yes

Vulci VR - Mozilla Hub (Web Resource)
Title: Vulci VR - Mozilla Hub
Author: Maurizio Forte
Author: Antonio LoPiano
Abstract: This application, developed for Mozzilla Hub, is a VR collaborative space open to small groups of user (Ideally a University class) where it is possible to interact with the main content of the waterscape project. Each virtual room is designed for showing a specific research topic such as: landscape, remote sensing, geophysics, monuments, archaeological excavations, water systems. Every user, as avatar, can use the platform in fully immersive mode (VR headset) and interact with other users/avatars
Year: 2022
Primary URL: https://hubs.mozilla.com
Primary URL Description: The platf

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