Displaying intangible heritage using ICT. Roman everyday life on the frontier: Vindolanda

Erminia Carillo, Karina Rodriguez Echavarria, David Arnold

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNConference contribution with ISSN or ISBNpeer-review

Abstract

Virtual reconstructions are increasingly been employed in archaeological museums and sites, principally to improve the comprehension of structures no longer visible or clearly identifiable. They can become tools to explore ancient environments and enhance their understanding. However, can information technology also be employed in the process of displaying intangible heritage, such as reconstructing every day life in the past, through the interpretation of tangible evidence? If so, how is it possible? This project aims to answer those two questions through the case study of Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort located just south of Hadrian’s Wall in northern England. Like most Roman forts, Vindolanda followed several phases of construction: one of the most interesting is the so-called Period III timber fort (ca. AD 100-105). This Pre-Hadrianic phase is particularly relevant since more than 1000 writing tablets have been found at the corner of the commander’s house. The Vindolanda writing tablets provide interesting information about one community on the edge of the Roman world, offering a fascinating insight into the life of specific people, such as the prefect of the fort and his family. The life of the people in Vindolanda at the beginning of the second century AD will be displayed within a 3D virtual environment - the Period III fort itself; hence the first phase of the project focuses on such reconstruction. This paper will address the issues related to the 3D reconstruction of Vindolanda Period III timber fort - using the evidence regarding buildings, size, orientation, and layout - and the relevance of the accuracy of such model as a setting for the storytelling.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVAST 2007: Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Virtual Reality, Archaeology and Intelligent Cultural Heritage
EditorsD.B. Arnold, A. Chalmers, F. Niccolucci
Place of PublicationAire-la-Ville, Switzerland
PublisherEurographics
Pages51-55
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9789638046895
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2007
EventVAST 2007: Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Virtual Reality, Archaeology and Intelligent Cultural Heritage - Brighton, United Kingdom
Duration: 1 Jan 2007 → …

Conference

ConferenceVAST 2007: Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Virtual Reality, Archaeology and Intelligent Cultural Heritage
Period1/01/07 → …

Bibliographical note

© The Eurographics Association 2007.

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