Scientific visualization, 3D immersive virtual reality environments, and archaeology in Jordan and the near east

Archaeological data is perfectly suited to 3D modeling and visualization. The geographical remoteness of many heritage sites means that few will ever be able to experience them firsthand. For centuries, practitioners of archaeology have meticulously drafted maps and illustrations, and captured photographs of sites and landscapes (Sanders 2014). Two-dimensional maps and photos reflect scale but never fully embody it. Hence, one of the goals of virtual reality modeling is to take another step toward bridging this gap. This article presents a variety of ways archaeologists, working closely with colleagues from computer science, visual arts, and engineering, have worked toward disseminating archaeological datasets to professionals and non-professional audiences alike through virtual reality.