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Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage
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Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Computing and Artificial Intelligence".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2022) | Viewed by 121863

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Akrivi Katifori

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Guest Editor
Department of Informatics and Telecommunications, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 84 Athens, Greece
Interests: interactive digital storytelling; virtual reality; digital heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Angeliki Antoniou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Archival, Library and Information Studies, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
Interests: cultural informatics; personalization; profiling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Areti Damala

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CNRS (Centre National Scientifique de la Recherche) and ENS (Ecole Normale Supérieure), République des Savoirs (USR 3608), Paris, France
Interests: digital humanities; digital heritage; user experience; evaluation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paraskevi Raftopoulou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Informatics & Telecommunications, University of the Peloponnese, GR22131 Tripolis, Greece
Interests: distributed systems; social networks; big data; data management; data mining; information retrieval/filtering; databases; digital libraries
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

From cultural disasters, such as the fire damage at the Notre Dame de Paris in 2019 and the National Museum of Brazil in 2018, to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need to digitize cultural heritage is essential. Past efforts, mainly in the frameworks of specific projects, focused on digitizing items and, in some cases, monuments. However, the rich repositories created are not often used in a meaningful manner, and their content is not returned to the public in a way that supports the understanding of, interpretation of and reflection on cultural heritage. Over the last few years, there have been some systematic efforts to allow the exploitation of such repositories, by applying methods for data curation and digitization in order to support the effective access to, exploration of, presentation of and preservation of millions of digital heritage assets (i.e., AIR principles).

However, the challenge remains within the domain to conceptualize, design and put into practice new applications that realize the potential for the substantive and meaningful use (and reuse) of digital assets. Advanced technologies need to be coupled with new concepts and experience design paradigms that will promote user engagement with the past through critical reflection and perspective taking, following an inclusive and personalized approach. Current advances in technologies (e.g., linked data, virtual/augmented/extended reality, chatbots and digital storytelling), when combined with fundamental technological fields, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, create new opportunities to explore innovative technological solutions for the effective (re)use of digital cultural heritage assets. This Special Issue aims to spotlight cutting-edge research in technology-driven cultural heritage, as well as help in the alignment of these endeavors.

Dr. Akrivi Katifori
Dr. Angeliki Antoniou
Dr. Areti Damala
Dr. Paraskevi Raftopoulou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • digital asset reuse
  • virtual reality
  • linked data
  • digital storytelling
  • data mining
  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • chatbots
  • augmented reality
  • mixed reality
  • data exploitation

Published Papers (21 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 197 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for the Special Issue “Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage”
by Akrivi Katifori, Angeliki Antoniou, Areti Damala and Paraskevi Raftopoulou
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(10), 5873; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13105873 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1259
Abstract
The occurrence of cultural disasters, such as the fire damage at the Notre Dame de Paris in 2019 and at the National Museum of Brazil in 2018, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlight that the need to digitize cultural heritage is essential [...] [...] Read more.
The occurrence of cultural disasters, such as the fire damage at the Notre Dame de Paris in 2019 and at the National Museum of Brazil in 2018, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlight that the need to digitize cultural heritage is essential [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

26 pages, 7870 KiB  
Article
Personalization in Digital Ecomuseums: The Case of Pros-Eleusis
by Ektor Vrettakis, Akrivi Katifori, Marialena Kyriakidi, Myrto Koukouli, Maria Boile, Apostolos Glenis, Dimitra Petousi, Maria Vayanou and Yannis Ioannidis
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3903; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063903 - 19 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1307
Abstract
In comparison with a traditional museum, an “ecomuseum” is radically different: It is not housed in a building and does not have a collection of physical objects or artifacts. It aims to help visitors discover the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of a [...] Read more.
In comparison with a traditional museum, an “ecomuseum” is radically different: It is not housed in a building and does not have a collection of physical objects or artifacts. It aims to help visitors discover the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of a region through the identification of important points of interest (POIs), while offering a variety of activities and direct engagement with the region’s cultural identity. The diversity and amount of information that may be available through digital means highlight the need for supporting the visitor in selecting which POIs to visit by offering personalized content. In this paper, we present our approach for a recommendation system for an ecomuseum, through its application in the city of Eleusis, Greece. We present the approach from needs to implementation, as well as the results of a preliminary evaluation, showing promising results for its application as an engaging visitor experience for an ecomuseum. We conclude the paper with a wider discussion about personalization in this context and in a cultural heritage context in general. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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22 pages, 8285 KiB  
Article
Research on Artificial Intelligence in New Year Prints: The Application of the Generated Pop Art Style Images on Cultural and Creative Products
by Bolun Zhang and Nurul Hanim Romainoor
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1082; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021082 - 13 Jan 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4309
Abstract
Chinese New Year prints constitute a significant component of the country’s cultural heritage and folk art. Yangliuqing New Year prints are the most important and widely circulated of all the different kinds of New Year prints. Due to a variety of factors including [...] Read more.
Chinese New Year prints constitute a significant component of the country’s cultural heritage and folk art. Yangliuqing New Year prints are the most important and widely circulated of all the different kinds of New Year prints. Due to a variety of factors including societal change, industrial structure change, and economic development, New Year prints, which were deeply rooted in agricultural society, have been adversely impacted, and have even reached the brink of disappearance. With the protection and effort from the government and researchers, New Year prints can finally be preserved. However, the underlying problems remain, such as receiving little attention, a singular product form, and being unable to keep up with the times, especially among the younger generation. In this paper, the researchers first processed Yangliuqing New Year prints through the GANs model. Then, the image is segmented by binarization and color extraction of images from the Pop art dataset by the K-Means algorithm, followed by colorizing the binarized and segmented image. Finally, usable high-quality Pop art style Yangliuqing New Year prints are generated. The generated images are used in the development of cultural and creative products. Questionnaires were then distributed based on the empirical research scale. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The method proposed in this study can generate high-quality Pop art style New Year prints. 2 Using Pop art style New Year print images in the design of cultural and creative products is popular among the younger generation, and they possess a great propensity to purchase. This study solves the problems encountered by the current cultural heritage of New Year prints, and broadens the artistic expression forms and product categories, and provides research ideas for the cultural heritage of the same type that is facing similar problems. In the future, researchers will continue to explore the incorporation of AI technology in New Year prints to stimulate the vitality of traditional cultural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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29 pages, 4429 KiB  
Article
The Value of “Values”: A Case Study on the Design of Value-Inclusive Multimedia Content for the Menorah Artefact Collection at the Hecht Museum, Haifa, Israel
by Srushti Goud, Vincenzo Lombardo, Tsvi Kuflik and Alan Wecker
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 12330; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122312330 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1382
Abstract
Cultural heritage (CH) values are important for understanding the significance of heritage assets. For that reason, the presentation of CH should go beyond providing factual information. It should reflect relevant values that are held by the curators, the heritage experts and the communities [...] Read more.
Cultural heritage (CH) values are important for understanding the significance of heritage assets. For that reason, the presentation of CH should go beyond providing factual information. It should reflect relevant values that are held by the curators, the heritage experts and the communities of non-expert citizen stakeholders. Associating values with the information content in a CH communication product is a challenging task. Digital technologies require special attention to communicate values along with heritage information to achieve meaningful and impactful communication. In this paper, we focus on a socio-technological framework for the integration of values into the information content provided to visitors. We have designed, applied and evaluated an eight-stage process for the inclusion of CH values in the information content and their communication to museum visitors. It has been applied at the Hecht Museum, located at the University of Haifa, Israel, where museum artefacts are currently presented to the visitors with informational panels that have been designed without any attention to values. Two digital applications, built by applying the eight-stage process, were developed. One was designed to cover the information and heritage values already available within the museum descriptions. The other was developed by following the suggested process, which accounts for values that were collected through a review of the literature, interviews with experts and interactions with non-experts. The two applications were tested, iterated and evaluated to assess the impact of value inclusion. Results show that both visitors and experts appreciated the value-enhanced communication. The evaluation of user feedback has further substantiated the creation of content that is inclusive of CH values, for the communication of museum artefacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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16 pages, 13721 KiB  
Article
Context-Aware Querying, Geolocalization, and Rephotography of Historical Newspaper Images
by Dilawar Ali, Thibault Blyau, Nico Van de Weghe and Steven Verstockt
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(21), 11063; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122111063 - 01 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
Newspapers contain a wealth of historical information in the form of articles and illustrations. Libraries and cultural heritage institutions have been digitizing their collections for decades to enable web-based access to and retrieval of information. A number of challenges arise when dealing with [...] Read more.
Newspapers contain a wealth of historical information in the form of articles and illustrations. Libraries and cultural heritage institutions have been digitizing their collections for decades to enable web-based access to and retrieval of information. A number of challenges arise when dealing with digitized collections, such as those of KBR, the Royal Library of Brussels (used in this study), which contain only page-level metadata, making it difficult to extract information from specific contexts. A context-aware search relies heavily on metadata enhancement. Therefore, when using metadata at the page level, it is even more challenging to geolocalize less-known landmarks. To overcome this challenge, we have developed a pipeline for geolocalization and visualization of historical photographs. The first step of this pipeline consists of converting page-level metadata to article-level metadata. In the next step, all articles with building images were classified based on image classification algorithms. Moreover, to correctly geolocalize historical photographs, we propose a hybrid approach that uses both textual metadata and image features. We conclude this research paper by addressing the challenge of visualizing historical content in a way that adds value to humanities research. It is noteworthy that a number of historical urban scenes are visualized using rephotography, which is notoriously challenging to get right. This study serves as an important step towards enriching historical metadata and facilitating cross-collection linkages, geolocalization, and the visualization of historical newspaper images. Furthermore, the proposed methodology is generic and can be used to process untagged photographs from social media, including Flickr and Instagram. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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17 pages, 10740 KiB  
Article
3D Digital Preservation, Presentation, and Interpretation of Wooden Cultural Heritage on the Example of Sculptures of the FormaViva Kostanjevica Na Krki Collection
by Andrej Učakar, Ana Sterle, Martina Vuga, Tamara Trček Pečak, Denis Trček, Jure Ahtik, Karin Košak, Deja Muck, Helena Gabrijelčič Tomc and Tanja Nuša Kočevar
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(17), 8445; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178445 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2349
Abstract
The paper presents an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of the FormaViva collection of wooden sculptures exhibited outdoors in a natural environment near the Božidar Jakac Art Museum in Kostanjevica na Krki in Slovenia. The study focuses on 3D graphic representations of sculptures [...] Read more.
The paper presents an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of the FormaViva collection of wooden sculptures exhibited outdoors in a natural environment near the Božidar Jakac Art Museum in Kostanjevica na Krki in Slovenia. The study focuses on 3D graphic representations of sculptures created with photogrammetry and 3D modelling. The results are photorealistic renderings, interactive presentations, 3D printed reproductions, jewellery, and interpretive animations. The research results show that graphic documentation techniques on 3D models allow for a more detailed investigation of the original structural identity of the sculpture. By incorporating 3D and interactive technologies, we are expanding the usability of cultural heritage objects. By using interpretive techniques that have led to jewellery and interpretive animations in our research, we not only breathe new life into the sculptures, but also enrich the stories of the sculptures with our own experiences of the sculptural work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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30 pages, 20043 KiB  
Article
Digital Reconstruction of Fragmented Cultural Heritage Assets: The Case Study of the Dacian Embossed Disk from Piatra Roșie
by Radu Comes, Călin Gheorghe Dan Neamțu, Cătălin Grec, Zsolt Levente Buna, Cristian Găzdac and Liliana Mateescu-Suciu
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8131; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168131 - 14 Aug 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2742
Abstract
The most peculiar characteristic of a cultural heritage is represented by its uniqueness. To ensure that an object is preserved against environmental deterioration, vandal attacks, and accidents, modern Cultural Heritage documentation involves 3D scanning technologies. In the case of fragmented artefacts, the digitization [...] Read more.
The most peculiar characteristic of a cultural heritage is represented by its uniqueness. To ensure that an object is preserved against environmental deterioration, vandal attacks, and accidents, modern Cultural Heritage documentation involves 3D scanning technologies. In the case of fragmented artefacts, the digitization process represents an essential prerequisite for facilitating an accurate 3D reconstruction. The aim of this research paper is to present a framework that enables an accurate digital reconstruction of fragmented or damaged artefacts using ornament stencils obtained from 3D scan data. The proposed framework has been applied for the richly adorned ornaments of the fragmented Dacian embossed disk from Piatra Roșie. The case study makes use of the 3D dataset acquired, using a structured light scanner to extract vector displacement maps, which are then applied to the 3D computer-aided design (CAD) model. The output of the framework includes a proposed digital reconstruction of the aurochs fragmented Dacian embossed disk, as well as the ornaments’ stencils database. The proposed framework addresses problems that are associated with 3D reconstruction processes, such as self-intersections, non-manifold geometry, 3D model topology, and file format interoperability. Finally, the resulting 3D reconstruction has been integrated within virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) applications, as well as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) based on additive manufacturing to facilitate the dissemination of the results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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24 pages, 179838 KiB  
Article
The ArchTerr Project—A GIS-Based Integrated System for Cultural and Archaeological Heritage Protection (Pilot Phase Tested in Romania)
by Constantin Viorel Marian and Mihaela Iacob
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8123; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168123 - 13 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2445
Abstract
This paper presents the results of an experimental-demonstrative research project summarizing three integrated products: an interactive digital map; a reference and record keeping database system; and a set of procedures to enforce the unified application of archaeological heritage protection legislation in Romania. The [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of an experimental-demonstrative research project summarizing three integrated products: an interactive digital map; a reference and record keeping database system; and a set of procedures to enforce the unified application of archaeological heritage protection legislation in Romania. The web-based application constitutes a permanent working tool available to the Romanian Ministry of Culture territorial branch offices, and is freely accessible to specialists and other entities involved in the protection of archaeological heritage, and even to private investors interested in development on land areas having archaeological heritage. The application brings together the organization, systematization, and digitization of all available information about archaeological sites at the national level. This information is otherwise difficult to access because it is structured differently in terms of quantity and quality of data, and stored using different media and formats in several types of non-interconnected institutions. The ArchTerr application significantly reduces the time required to inform, verify, and communicate a decision regarding the presence or absence of archaeological heritage on a particular site. The application ensures the dynamic and automatic real-time bidirectional conversion of geospatial information (Stereo70 and WGS84), and access to unitary and level-structured information, and provides interoperability with other information systems. High-resolution maps allow the non-professional user/investor to access detailed geospatial information about a delimited area, in a timely manner and without the need for field travel, which is a unique feature not found in other European record systems concerning archeological sites. The functionalities of the application developed within the research project, the technical decisions taken, and their implementation method are generally valid. They can be applied in any geographical region because the open source maps used by the technical team cover the world map and the coordinate system used for representation is international. The testing and validation of these functionalities were undertaken using real archaeological data from Romania (data already included in the national heritage representing archaeological sites). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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24 pages, 8456 KiB  
Article
Preservation of Cultural Heritage Using Virtual Reality Technologies and Haptic Feedback: A Prototype and Case Study on Antique Carpentry Tools
by Csaba Antonya and Silviu Butnariu
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8002; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168002 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2124
Abstract
Over the last decade, there have been intense concerns at the European and global level regarding the recovery, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage in various forms: monuments, historical sites, artifacts, cultural expressions. The world is becoming more and more aware of the [...] Read more.
Over the last decade, there have been intense concerns at the European and global level regarding the recovery, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage in various forms: monuments, historical sites, artifacts, cultural expressions. The world is becoming more and more aware of the loss of honor elements of cultural heritage due to the passage of time, natural or man-made disasters, negligence, and improper conservation. This paper aims to develop a tool to improve the visibility of elements that may become rare in everyday life over the coming years, becoming elements of cultural heritage. The paper refers to a haptic system for simulating kinematic and dynamic operating conditions based on an articulated mechanism, more precisely, the simulation of the operation of a manual saw as a carpentry tool, visualizing the sawing maneuver and increasing the level of understanding of the operation by the possibility of modifying the working parameters. In the developed virtual reality environment, the user’s perception can benefit by evoking two of their senses—the user can see the operation of the hand saw and can feel the manual process of cutting wood. User studies were carried out to evaluate the usability and performance of the virtual reality application. In two test scenarios, 20 people gave positive feedback in using custom-made haptic devices for various categories (engagement, manipulability, enjoyment, realism, usability, overall experience). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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12 pages, 272 KiB  
Article
Social Perception of Artificial Intelligence and Digitization of Cultural Heritage: Russian Context
by Tatiana Leshkevich and Anna Motozhanets
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2712; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052712 - 05 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3773
Abstract
The article considers the social perception of artificial intelligence (AI) as an essential factor having an impact on the digitization, transfer, and popularization of cultural heritage. The article aims at the theoretical comprehension of the digital ontology and implementation of AI in the [...] Read more.
The article considers the social perception of artificial intelligence (AI) as an essential factor having an impact on the digitization, transfer, and popularization of cultural heritage. The article aims at the theoretical comprehension of the digital ontology and implementation of AI in the context of Russian realia. The research relies on comprehensive analysis based on statistical data, using descriptive and comparative methods. The interdisciplinary approach adopted includes reflexive analysis of both positive and negative consequences of the digitalization process. The article examines the peculiarities of the “digital ontology”, deterritorization effect, new actors in the digital process, the effect of digital trust, and opposite views of AI-enthusiasts and AI-alarmists. The article describes objective and subjective reasons for the negative perception of digital artifacts, and states the need to consider the influence of key figures in digital ontology: influencers, stakeholders, and data scientists. The ambivalence of public perception of both artificial intelligence and digital cultural heritage is stated. The research reveals digitization frontiers, which involve three factors: the axiological factor, indicating the need for consistency between a human values system and AI development programs; the subject vector, emphasizing the role of a new type of digital heritage bearers and digital influence actors; ethical factor associated with the need to transform relations with information technologies in order to subordinate them to human reflection and comprehension. The authors conclude that cultural heritage digitization should be aimed at generating a human-centered future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
25 pages, 22091 KiB  
Article
Advanced Technologies Used in Digitizing the Cultural Heritage of Northwestern Colchis: The Experience of the Markul Expedition
by Galina Trebeleva, Konstantin Glazov, Andrey Kizilov, Anastasya Kizilova, Vladlen Yurkov and Gleb Yurkov
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042052 - 16 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1652
Abstract
The article presents the experience of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Science’s Markul Expedition, which utilized digital technologies for the study, preservation, and popularization of cultural heritage. The objective of the Markul Expedition was to obtain a complete picture [...] Read more.
The article presents the experience of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Science’s Markul Expedition, which utilized digital technologies for the study, preservation, and popularization of cultural heritage. The objective of the Markul Expedition was to obtain a complete picture of the historical and cultural landscape of Northwestern Colchis in antiquity by applying two key digital technologies: geographic information systems (GIS) and photogrammetry. The results obtained from the latter were used both independently and were integrated into GIS as separate layers (orthophotomaps, digital terrain models) or as hyperlinks to objects (3D models, videos, plans, sections, etc.). The objects investigated by the expedition are very diverse both in size and in terms of shooting conditions. Accordingly, each category of archaeological site required an individual approach, and a separate methodology and equipment. The final visualization angles differ to a fair extent from the original samples even though photogrammetry provides more accurate results than manual measurements. There are several reasons for this, including the vegetation, which is a dominant factor in the Caucasus subtropical area and led to partial visual distortions of the photographed objects. For this reason, the final projections of architectural forms required corrections and some hand drawing. In this process, new aspects appeared in the final result, resulting from the archaeologist and artist’s differing views of the objects. Our experience of using modern remote sensing technologies is also presented in the article. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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16 pages, 14306 KiB  
Communication
Use of Different Digitization Methods for the Analysis of Cut Marks on the Oldest Bone Found in Brittany (France)
by Jean-Baptiste Barreau, Adeline Gagnier, Ronan Gaugne, Grégor Marchand, Jorge Calvo Gómez, Valérie Gouranton and Rozenn Colleter
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031381 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4711
Abstract
Archaeological 3D digitization of skeletal elements is an essential aspect of the discipline. Objectives are various: archiving of data (especially before destructive sampling for biomolecular studies for example), study or for pedagogical purposes to allow their manipulation. As techniques are rapidly evolving, the [...] Read more.
Archaeological 3D digitization of skeletal elements is an essential aspect of the discipline. Objectives are various: archiving of data (especially before destructive sampling for biomolecular studies for example), study or for pedagogical purposes to allow their manipulation. As techniques are rapidly evolving, the question that arises is the use of appropriate methods to answer the different questions and guarantee sufficient quality of information. The combined use of different 3D technologies for the study of a single Mesolithic bone fragment from Brittany (France) is here an opportunity to compare different 3D digitization methods. This oldest human bone of Brittany, a clavicle constituted of two pieces, was dug up from the mesolithic shell midden of Beg-er-Vil in Quiberon and dated from ca. 8200 to 8000 years BP. They are bound to post-mortem processing, realized on fresh bone in order to remove the integuments, which it is necessary to better qualify. The clavicle was studied through a process that combines advanced 3D image acquisition, 3D processing, and 3D printing with the goal to provide relevant support for the experts involved in the work. The bones were first studied with a metallographic microscopy, scanned with a CT scan, and digitized with photogrammetry in order to get a high quality textured model. The CT scan appeared to be insufficient for a detailed analysis; the study was thus completed with a µ-CT providing a very accurate 3D model of the bone. Several 3D-printed copies of the collarbone were produced in order to support knowledge sharing between the experts involved in the study. The 3D models generated from µCT and photogrammetry were combined to provide an accurate and detailed 3D model. This model was used to study desquamation and the different cut marks, including their angle of attack. These cut marks were also studied with traditional binoculars and digital microscopy. This last technique allowed characterizing their type, revealing a probable meat cutting process with a flint tool. This work of crossed analyses allows us to document a fundamental patrimonial piece, and to ensure its preservation. Copies are also available for the regional museums. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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21 pages, 5861 KiB  
Article
An Augmented Reality Children’s Book Edutainment through Participatory Content Creation and Promotion Based on the Pastoral Life of Psiloritis
by Antonis Ntagiantas, Markos Konstantakis, John Aliprantis, Dimitris Manousos, Lefteris Koumakis and George Caridakis
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031339 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3861
Abstract
Augmented reality (AR) provides excellent learning potential, especially in a school environment. Multiple students can share the virtual scene and interact with it using the mobile interface as a hand-held display in AR children’s books. Students’ participation is an essential element of learning, [...] Read more.
Augmented reality (AR) provides excellent learning potential, especially in a school environment. Multiple students can share the virtual scene and interact with it using the mobile interface as a hand-held display in AR children’s books. Students’ participation is an essential element of learning, and one of AR’s greatest strengths is its ability to promote collaborative experiences. An augmented reality children’s book edutainment through participatory content creation and promotion based on the pastoral life of Psiloritis has been recommended through this study, highlighting the features of AR to reveal educational values unique to AR and studying approaches for incorporating these characteristics into the typical education curriculum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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19 pages, 3230 KiB  
Article
Improved Interaction of BIM Models for Historic Buildings with a Game Engine Platform
by Yu-Pin Ma
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12030945 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2340
Abstract
For the purpose of the conservation and representation of cultural heritage, the development of a visual interactive environment to provide an integrated application suitable for collecting a wide range of big data information from historic blocks is regarded as an effective solution. In [...] Read more.
For the purpose of the conservation and representation of cultural heritage, the development of a visual interactive environment to provide an integrated application suitable for collecting a wide range of big data information from historic blocks is regarded as an effective solution. In this study, the existing modeling of wooden building information is imported into a game engine as a practical study for the design of a user-friendly interactive interface design, a Unity integration platform is built, a Revit external application is developed, and cloud services architecture is set to solve the transmission and integration of information models between different platforms. In addition to strengthening the future application of historic building information modeling, this visual information-based interactive environment can help enhance communication and subsequent management of repairs, and bring opportunities for sustainable management and diversified applications to the research field of historic building restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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19 pages, 11611 KiB  
Article
Discovery and Extraction of Cultural Traits in Intangible Cultural Heritages Based on Kansei Engineering: Taking Zhuang Brocade Weaving Techniques as an Example
by Yuedi Huang and Younghwan Pan
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11403; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311403 - 02 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2604
Abstract
Taking China’s national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) Zhuang brocade as the research object, its cultural traits were extracted through scientific methods from the perspective of Kansei Engineering. Samples were collected through desk research, expert interviews, and questionnaires for qualitative and quantitative research. The [...] Read more.
Taking China’s national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) Zhuang brocade as the research object, its cultural traits were extracted through scientific methods from the perspective of Kansei Engineering. Samples were collected through desk research, expert interviews, and questionnaires for qualitative and quantitative research. The semantic differential method was adopted to analyze the vocabulary descriptions of different types of Zhuang brocade samples, and the Likert scale was used to measure the viewer’s visual perception. Eye tracker experiments were conducted to verify and further explore the cultural traits of Zhuang brocade so that the emotions in this ICH can be quantified more scientifically. Based on the heat map and data, scientific and reasonable descriptions and typical shapes best matching Zhuang brocade cultural traits were acquired. By using new technologies to interpret ICHs, this study proposed another way to extract cultural traits from ICH. The extracted Zhuang brocade cultural traits in this study could help improve the understanding of Zhuang brocade. This study could also provide certain references for the modern application and design of Zhuang brocade. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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19 pages, 687 KiB  
Article
Crypto Collectibles, Museum Funding and OpenGLAM: Challenges, Opportunities and the Potential of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
by Foteini Valeonti, Antonis Bikakis, Melissa Terras, Chris Speed, Andrew Hudson-Smith and Konstantinos Chalkias
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 9931; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11219931 - 24 Oct 2021
Cited by 87 | Viewed by 36590
Abstract
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) make it technically possible for digital assets to be owned and traded, introducing the concept of scarcity in the digital realm for the first time. Resulting from this technical development, this paper asks the question, do they provide an opportunity [...] Read more.
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) make it technically possible for digital assets to be owned and traded, introducing the concept of scarcity in the digital realm for the first time. Resulting from this technical development, this paper asks the question, do they provide an opportunity for fundraising for galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM), by selling ownership of digital copies of their collections? Although NFTs in their current format were first invented in 2017 as a means for game players to trade virtual goods, they reached the mainstream in 2021, when the auction house Christie’s held their first-ever sale exclusively for an NFT of a digital image, that was eventually sold for a record 69 million USD. The potential of NFTs to generate significant revenue for artists and museums by selling effectively a cryptographically signed copy of a digital image (similar to real-world limited editions, which are signed and numbered copies of a given artwork), has sparked the interest of the financially deprived museum and heritage sector with world-renowned institutions such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Hermitage Museum, having already employed NFTs in order to raise funds. Concerns surrounding the environmental impact of blockchain technology and the rise of malicious projects, exploiting previously digitised heritage content made available through OpenGLAM licensing, have attracted criticism over the speculative use of the technology. In this paper, we present the current state of affairs in relation to NFTs and the cultural heritage sector, identifying challenges, whilst highlighting opportunities that they create for revenue generation, in order to help address the ever-increasing financial challenges of galleries and museums. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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15 pages, 2590 KiB  
Article
Designing Reenacted Chatbots to Enhance Museum Experience
by Yeo-Gyeong Noh and Jin-Hyuk Hong
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7420; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167420 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3162
Abstract
The increased availability of chatbots has drawn attention and interest to the study of what answers they provide and how they provide them. Chatbots have become a common sight in museums but are limited to answering only simple and basic questions. Based on [...] Read more.
The increased availability of chatbots has drawn attention and interest to the study of what answers they provide and how they provide them. Chatbots have become a common sight in museums but are limited to answering only simple and basic questions. Based on the observed potential of chatbots for history education in museums, we investigate how chatbots impact history education and improve the overall experience according to their appearance and language style. For this, we built three models, designed by factors on embodiment and reflection, and 60 sets of answer–questions, designed for the National Museum of Korea. We conducted a study with a total of 34 participants and carried out a variety of analyses covering individual learning styles, museum experience scales, gaze data, in-depth interviews and observations from researchers. We present various results and lessons regarding the effect of embodiment and reflection on the museum experience. Our findings show how people with different learning styles connect with chatbot models and how visitors’ behavior in the museum changes depending on the chatbot model. Specifically, the chatbot model equipped with embodiment and reflection shows its superiority in enhancing the museum experience, in general. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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Review

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25 pages, 3242 KiB  
Review
Augmented Reality in Cultural Heritage: An Overview of the Last Decade of Applications
by Răzvan Gabriel Boboc, Elena Băutu, Florin Gîrbacia, Norina Popovici and Dorin-Mircea Popovici
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(19), 9859; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12199859 - 30 Sep 2022
Cited by 50 | Viewed by 19749
Abstract
Augmented reality is a mature technology that uses the real world as a substrate and extends it by overlaying computer-generated information. It has been applied to several domains. In particular, the technology was proven to be useful for the management and preservation of [...] Read more.
Augmented reality is a mature technology that uses the real world as a substrate and extends it by overlaying computer-generated information. It has been applied to several domains. In particular, the technology was proven to be useful for the management and preservation of Cultural Heritage. This study provides an overview of the last decade of the use of augmented reality in cultural heritage through a detailed review of the scientific papers in the field. We analyzed the applications published on Scopus and Clarivate Web of Science databases over a period of 9 years (2012–2021). Bibliometric data consisted of 1201 documents, and their analysis was performed using various tools, including ScientoPy, VOS Viewer, and Microsoft Excel. The results revealed eight trending topics of applying augmented reality technology to cultural heritage: 3D reconstruction of cultural artifacts, digital heritage, virtual museums, user experience, education, tourism, intangible cultural heritage, and gamification. Each topic is discussed in detail in the article sections, providing insight into existing applications and research trends for each application field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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19 pages, 1657 KiB  
Review
VR Games in Cultural Heritage: A Systematic Review of the Emerging Fields of Virtual Reality and Culture Games
by Anastasios Theodoropoulos and Angeliki Antoniou
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(17), 8476; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178476 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6461
Abstract
In recent years, the use of VR games in cultural heritage has been growing. VR Games have increasingly found their way into museums and exhibitions, highlighting the increasing cultural value associated with games and the institutionalization of game culture. In particular, serious VR [...] Read more.
In recent years, the use of VR games in cultural heritage has been growing. VR Games have increasingly found their way into museums and exhibitions, highlighting the increasing cultural value associated with games and the institutionalization of game culture. In particular, serious VR games have a variety of benefits for educational purposes. There are several studies that deployed VR games to improve visitor experiences in several contexts. However, there are not sufficient studies in the field that examine the benefits and drawbacks of VR gaming. This lack of classification studies is regarded as an obstacle to developing more effective games and proposing guidance on the best way of using them in cultural heritage. This review aims to analyze how VR games are used in cultural heritage settings, to explore the evolution and opportunities of this emerging field, the challenges and tensions these innovations present, and to collectively advance this work to benefit visitor experiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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33 pages, 1704 KiB  
Review
Graph-Based Conversational AI: Towards a Distributed and Collaborative Multi-Chatbot Approach for Museums
by Savvas Varitimiadis, Konstantinos Kotis, Dimitra Pittou and Georgios Konstantakis
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9160; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11199160 - 01 Oct 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 9132
Abstract
Nowadays, museums are developing chatbots to assist their visitors and to provide an enhanced visiting experience. Most of these chatbots do not provide a human-like conversation and fail to deliver the complete requested knowledge by the visitors. There are plenty of stand-alone museum [...] Read more.
Nowadays, museums are developing chatbots to assist their visitors and to provide an enhanced visiting experience. Most of these chatbots do not provide a human-like conversation and fail to deliver the complete requested knowledge by the visitors. There are plenty of stand-alone museum chatbots, developed using a chatbot platform, that provide predefined dialog routes. However, as chatbot platforms are evolving and AI technologies mature, new architectural approaches arise. Museums are already designing chatbots that are trained using machine learning techniques or chatbots connected to knowledge graphs, delivering more intelligent chatbots. This paper is surveying a representative set of developed museum chatbots and platforms for implementing them. More importantly, this paper presents the result of a systematic evaluation approach for evaluating both chatbots and platforms. Furthermore, the paper is introducing a novel approach in developing intelligent chatbots for museums. This approach emphasizes graph-based, distributed, and collaborative multi-chatbot conversational AI systems for museums. The paper accentuates the use of knowledge graphs as the key technology for potentially providing unlimited knowledge to chatbot users, satisfying conversational AI’s need for rich machine-understandable content. In addition, the proposed architecture is designed to deliver an efficient deployment solution where knowledge can be distributed (distributed knowledge graphs) and shared among different chatbots that collaborate when is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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Other

21 pages, 5762 KiB  
Systematic Review
Virtual Humans in Museums and Cultural Heritage Sites
by Stella Sylaiou and Christos Fidas
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(19), 9913; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12199913 - 01 Oct 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3115
Abstract
This article presents the results of a survey on the use of digital avatars and agents in museums and places of cultural interest. The optimization of virtual agents in the cultural heritage domain is an interdisciplinary undertaking and this paper investigates pertinent research [...] Read more.
This article presents the results of a survey on the use of digital avatars and agents in museums and places of cultural interest. The optimization of virtual agents in the cultural heritage domain is an interdisciplinary undertaking and this paper investigates pertinent research and solutions and suggests ways forward. The research questions examined relate to (a) the technological characteristics of cultural heritage-related uses of users’ avatars and virtual agents, and patterns that emerge, and (b) suggestions for future research based on this article’s findings. We reviewed relevant publications and analysed the approaches presented to identify trends and issues that could lead to conclusions on the existing state of the field and, moreover, infer and suggest future directions. The main findings relate to a trend toward onsite, sophisticated installations or applications with increasing investment in mixed reality. Moreover, emphasis shifts toward optimising agents such as virtual guides or companions, mediators of cultural content and engaging facilitators. Behavioural Realism (BR), featured mostly in virtual reality installations, greatly fosters engagement according to the reviewed research, and we conclude that mixed reality onsite applications, which are gathering pace, should reach their degree of sophistication and combine the strengths of both MR and BR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Digitizing Cultural Heritage)
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