The publication explores how the research group is moving beyond simple 3D digitisation to create immersive, historically accurate virtual environments that serve both research and public engagement.

The OVW group is playing a central role in several technical and narrative workstreams within the project:

• Virtual Environments & XR: Leveraging their expertise in building cross-platform virtual worlds that allow users to navigate historical sites as they appeared in specific time periods.
• Narrative Design: Moving beyond the "empty model" by integrating intangible heritage—such as local stories, folklore, and historical events—into the 3D space to create a "digital sense of place."
• Accessibility & Open Standards: Ensuring that these complex 3D environments remain accessible via web browsers and mobile devices, lowering the barrier for smaller museums and local heritage sites.
• The "Digital Twin" Evolution: Demonstrating how digital twins can be used not just for preservation, but as living laboratories for testing historical hypotheses.

A key takeaway from the publication is the group’s commitment to community-led heritage. By providing the tools and frameworks for local groups to document their own history, the OVW group ensures that the technology within HERITALISE serves a diverse range of cultural identities across Europe.

This work serves as a foundational "best practice" for how the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH) will eventually host and distribute interactive 3D content.

Read the full article on the HERITALISE website