2023-10-12 –, Conference room
Computed-Tomography scans (CT-scans) is a type of dataset that provides additional information in the research and curation of non-visible characteristics of complex archaeological artifacts and cultural heritage findings. CT-scans can reveal useful details about the inner structure of archaeological objects, human remains and burial findings.
The procedure to generate and study a CT-scans dataset requires specific infrastructures, skills, computational resources and specific software packages. On the other hand, the technological achievements in immersive technologies, such as the relevant aspects of extended reality , namely virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, have become more accessible. In addition, the progress of the creative industry of video games and the democratisation of the game-engines have raised new challenges in various scientific fields.
In this context, this session introduces an innovative methodology for the transformation of CT-scans from restricted use in laboratories to immersive experiences for general public. Starting with the cost-affordable analysis and study of the fragments of the Antikythera Mechanism, we reused the whole CT-scans dataset to artificially generate the 3D models with high level of photorealistic textures. Through the combination of VR and videogame, we developed an interactive virtual tool for the study of the inner structure of the fragments. The evaluation by the end users underlined the success of the transformation. Our methodology could be applied in a wide spectrum of archaeological artifacts, offering breathtaking experiences to scientists and museums’ visitors.
Eleftherios Anastasovitis is software engineer in Pyrseia Informatics, and research assistant in Information Technologies Institute at Centre for Research and Technology Hellas. He is currently working towards his Ph.D. degree in applied informatics at University of Macedonia. He received the M.Sc. degree in cultural informatics and communication at University of the Aegean in 2014, and the M.Ed. degree in adult education at Hellenic Open University in 2017. He received the B.Sc. degree in informatics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2005. His research interests include VR, 3D serious games, 3D graphics, creative industries, and immersive technologies.
He holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and an MS and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech, USA. He taught as an Assistant Professor in the ECE Department of WVU. He is now a Professor in the Department of Applied Informatics at the University of Macedonia, Greece, where he is Directing the CNST Lab. His interests include digital logic simulation, computer architecture and parallel processing, VR, and ancient technology, having created the first ever animations of the Antikythera Mechanism. He has published more than 120 papers in journals and conference proceedings.