3D and Virtual Reality in Archaeology
From The Observatory
Conference in Bonn “3D and Virtual Reality in Archaeology. New Applications and Good Practice in Teaching and Research”
Digital methods of documentation in research and teaching are becoming increasingly important for archaeology as a material and object-based discipline. In research these new tools and technologies enable new, extensive insights and improve our understanding of past societies. In teaching and education 3D models and Virtual Reality allow students to further engage and comprehend with human heritage regardless of restricting factors like location, time, and expenses.
We are happy to announce our upcoming conference on “3D and Virtual Reality in Archaeology. New Applications and Good Practice in Teaching and Research” that will take place from the 27th to the 29th of May 2026 in Bonn and online. The conference is part of the EU-funded project Virtual Worlds in Teaching Archaeology, a cooperation partnership of the Universities of Amsterdam, Bonn, Oslo as well as the Open Universiteit. The conference aims to bring together scholars, researchers, teachers, and students to present and discuss recent advances in the development and implementation of 3D models and Virtual Reality in archaeological disciplines with a special focus on research and teaching.Agenda
The preliminary programme includes an introduction into the Virtual Worlds project and a presentation of the learning scenarios that were developed by the partners in the project. Furthermore, in the evening there will be a keynote lecture. On the third day workshops regarding the digital documentation and application of 3D models and VR environments will take place.
On the second day, a comprehensive programme of lectures will be offered. Therefore, we encourage submissions from colleagues related to archaeology, art history and educational sciences. Topics relate to:
- Innovative examples of implementing 3D models and VR/XR environments in teaching archaeology
- Innovative applications of 3D models and VR/XR environments in research and its potentials for education and learning
- Advances in 3D technology regarding the creation of 3D models and various types of VR/XR environments
- Ethical aspects and gender issues related to using virtual environments
Participants
Virtual Worlds in Teaching Archaeology
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Digital methods of documentation in research and teaching are becoming increasingly important for archaeology as a material and object-oriented discipline. Local initiatives have emerged at several locations in Europe that use the new digital possibilities of 3D and VR technologies in research and teaching in archaeological disciplines and introduce students to them. So far, however, there has been no networking of these initiatives, which means that synergies cannot be exploited and local initiatives hardly have a major impact.
The universities gathered in Virtual Worlds have come together to develop and test learning scenarios with 3D data sets and VR environments. In doing so, we can draw on local initiatives, experiences and existing data sets, which are brought together and further developed at European level. The aim is to improve teaching in archaeological subjects through the use of virtual worlds, to enable digital access to cultural heritage and to make it usable, reusable and scalable for creative processes in different contexts.