Virtual Reality for Spatial Research in Archaeology: Prototyping 3D Reconstruction Tools for the Site of Yeha, Ethiopia

There has been an abundance of research in recent years focusing on the potential of 3D reconstruction and visualisation technologies in cultural heritage and related fields. While many of these are focused on knowledge dissemination with a non-specialist audience, often within the context of museums or heritage sites, fewer studies have dedicated themselves to investigating how such technologies, including Virtual Reality, can be used as tools within the research process. While 3D virtual reconstruction technologies are often implemented by specialists of these technologies in consultation with the heritage researchers themselves, rarely are heritage researchers directly involved in the process of 3D modelling and
visualisation. This article describes the development of a real-time 3D reconstruction toolset operated using a VR headset and motion controllers, in this case the HTC Vive. The case study used to test this tool is the archaeological site of Yeha, a town in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia and the location of an archaeological site with monumental remains dating back to around 700 BCE. This site was chosen as archaeological excavations are currently under way and good 3D scanned data already exists. The 3D reconstruction tool allows archaeologists and other specialists to collaborate within VR to build a 3D visualisation of the ancient site that is able to be adapted as new information is brought to light.