How many times have you visited some historical site and carried an audio tour headset with you? You've listened to taped explanations and background information as you wandered around.
OK, now imagine having that system replaced with one that provides computer-generated images as you tour the site, so you'd see ancient people walking about the ruins. Could be interesting, although I suspect it would feel like a computer game come to life. Anyway, such a system is under consideration. From the BBC: Pompeii gets digital make-over.
A European Union-funded project is looking at providing tourists with computer-augmented versions of archaeological attractions.
It would allow visitors a glimpse of life as it was originally lived in places such as Pompeii.
The Lifeplus project is part of the EU's Information Society Technologies initiative aimed at promoting user-friendly technology and enhancing European cultural heritage.
Engineers and researchers working in the Europe-wide consortium have come up with a prototype augmented-reality system.
It would require the visitor to wear a head-mounted display with a miniature camera and a backpack computer.
The camera captures the view and feeds it to software on the computer where the visitor's viewpoint is combined with animated virtual elements.
At Pompeii for example, the visitor would not just see the frescos, taverns and villas that have been excavated, but also people going about their daily life. [continue]
After you've read the article, you might want to visit the Miralab website, which includes web specials and films. The Virtual Hagia Sophia Reconstruction is worth a look.
Related:
Hagia Sophia - Wikipedia
