2019-2020 Faculty Research Grants

Rhonda Root and Ariel Solis (Architecture)

Digital Visualization and Interaction for the Historical Cultural Landscape of Hisban and Vicinity

Today, the field of archaeology seeks to expand beyond the traditional printed books and archaeological publishing, and to be relevant, using various new technologies, such as 3-D visualization and interactive media. Our faculty research team have been invited to research with the Jordan Field School directed by Dr. Sten LaBianca, based on our recent research results in Ireland. In Jordan we will record ancient Biblical sites, using measurements, hand sketches, photography, drone videos, and the non-invasive photogrammetry techniques which we recently refined and applied to Irish archeology.  We will follow-up our on-site work with the development of drafted and digital architectural drawings, watercolor, digital and traditional renderings, ultimately creating a documentary record of observable habitation sites in 3D digital image and 2D printed formats, including a digital landscape with overlays describing successive development. Analysis of the sites will draw from all these multi-disciplinary techniques and perspectives. Virtual Reality in archaeology is in its early stages of application. Our research will advance this field and how it can be used in archaeology and the learning environment. Another goal for our research is to create the first Biblical VR game focusing on the Hisban site.