VENUS - Virtual Exploration of Underwater Sites
The VENUS project has provided scientific methodologies and technological tools for the virtual exploration of deep underwater archaeology sites.
(Project website no longer available)
- Project type: STREP (Specific Targeted Research Project)
- Start date: 1 July 2006
- Duration: 36 months
- EU funding: € 2 190 000
- Number of partners: 11
- Project coordinator: CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Modèles et Simulation pour l'Architecture, l'urbanisme et le Paysage; France
- Contact: Pierre Drap
The work carried out by the VENUS project team improves the accessibility of underwater sites by generating thorough and exhaustive 3D records for virtual exploration. The project addressed sites which are reachable by divers as well as those only reachable with submersible vehicles.
The researchers surveyed antique shipwrecks at various depths in Italy, Portugal and France. They have explored advanced methods and techniques of data acquisition through autonomous or remotely operated unmanned vehicles with innovative sonar and photogrammetry equipment. Research also covered aspects such as data processing and storage, plotting of archaeological artefacts and information system management. This work has resulted in a series of best practices and procedures for collecting and storing data from underwater sites.
Further, VENUS has developed virtual reality and augmented reality tools for the visualisation of and immersive interaction with a digital model of an underwater site. The model is accessible online, both as an example of digital preservation and for demonstrating new facilities of exploration in a safe, cost-effective and pedagogical environment. The virtual underwater site provides archaeologists with an improved insight into the data and the general public with simulated dives to the site.
The VENUS consortium, composed of eleven partners, pooled expertise in various disciplines: archaeology and underwater exploration, knowledge representation and photogrammetry, virtual reality and digital data preservation.