Information and Analytical Systems in Archaeology as Tools for Building a Digital Cultural Heritage Ecosystem and Immersive Experiences

Abstract

The article examines information and analytical systems in archaeology as tools for the digitalisation of cultural heritage aimed at forming immersive experience. It is substantiated that contemporary digital archaeology should move from creating separate 3D copies of artefacts, monuments, or archaeological landscapes towards building semantically enriched digital twins suitable for analysis, planning, learning, popularisation, and remote interaction. Within this approach, the digital recording of an object using photogrammetry, laser scanning, LiDAR, photo and video data, GIS referencing, and sensor data is considered as the initial stage in the formation of a digital environment. Gaussian Splatting is defined as a promising tool for the photorealistic 3D representation of an archaeological object, which can be supplemented with analytical layers of recognition, segmentation, measurement, damage detection, spatial navigation, and semantic description. The article proposes an operational model of a semantically enriched digital twin of archaeological heritage, combining 3D recording, Gaussian Splatting, AI support, knowledge bases, digital storytelling, gamification, elements of Serious Games, continuous learning, and cultural tourism scenarios. Such a digital twin can be used not only for the visual representation of a monument, but also for preliminary familiarisation of the research team with the object, fieldwork planning, identification of areas of interest, task distribution, preparation of survey routes, and reduction of unprepared physical interventions. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of using digital twins in the training of archaeology students, museum professionals, specialists in digital heritage, multimedia technologies, and tourism, as well as in the creation of virtual routes, learning tasks, popular science scenarios, and forms of remote access to archaeological objects.