Panoramic 360◦ Sphere: Digitization and Mobilization of Cultural Heritage Site and Story Visualizing of History for Cultural Tourism

With the rapid development of computers, and later computer networks, a new era has begun. At beginning of the 21st Century’, mystical computing devices, which occupied entire rooms, became tools for various fields within a few years. Computer-enforced work processes took a much shorter time and gave different opportunities than the previous traditional methods. Also, technology started to have an impact on tourism such as virtual museums, virtual tours and many following structures that will peak in near future. Alongside that “the new normal Pandemic” causing most of the world to be stuck at home, in-country, many are predicting virtual tourism options will help transform the travel and tourism industry. Thus, this is where the project: Panoramic 360◦ Sphere taking action. The project aims for every cultural heritage site that has enough information about its ancient times. 

Proposal 

Not everyone has a chance to travel halfway around the world, allocate a budget, or create enough time to meet their cultural interests, gain knowledge, enrich its life and the project offers this in a  new form. “Panoramic 360◦ Sphere” project aims to create a viable spherical heritage site possibly for every cultural heritage site after design and implementation of digital visual content construction. Website and mobile application will serve to the community as info sources and promotional area of these spheres where users can reach details, where to find, what is offered and what to expect also ticket sales will be operated.  

Objective 

The project offers the ability to take a full virtual experience of a site that portable to move/set in countries instead of visitors who could not travel for countries or the places. The combination of videos and still images with multimedia, such as narration, music, and sound effects, a character who lives regular life back in time and storytelling of character narrated by the user in daily life,  offers an immersive experience for the user. Inside of Panoramic 360◦ Sphere, The user will get into an atmosphere while narrating character for a walk at agora meantime hearing all those crowds at the background, observing goods sold in markets then narrates character to the theater of the city for taking a look to the event, a thrilling experience like it never became an ancient ruin.  Checkpoints around the city to learn more that both in readable and audio accessibility versions.  Observe the environment, built structures as one piece by reference to archaeologists’ digital reconstruction and experience a day by reference of historiographers in high definition.  Uninterrupted, comprehensive aspect front, back, side visual display; boosted with cinematic surround sounds and moving audios to advance a feeling of realism. Cooperation with cultural heritage sites is essential, in this context these sites can open archives, contribute information to project and excavators and archeologists can advise the building phase of content. Thus, being a stakeholder in this project can benefit heritage sites, for workers and labor. Capital depended archeological excavations could raise fund sources by share of budget income.

Outcomes 

Alternatively, Panoramic 360◦ Spheres’ augmented experience, adapted opportunities to era will bring interest and importance to heritage sites that are unknown and cannot be visited for some obstacles. Thus, culture and history will spread more easily and for anyone because easy to access and costs less. This virtual tourism technology gives travelers the ability to see what they are getting into before they take a trip if they decide to visit the site and essentially more than they can observe at the actual heritage site. New or ongoing excavations need reasonable funds though not all can be funded enough, the project will stimulate capital sources and repute the site recognition will accelerate field works, upwards worldwide promotion. While it’s impossible to replace the in-person experience, users can still enjoy a very immersive experience with this technology’s additional facts such as the experience of ancient daily life, the character, the story and interactive narration. On the other hand, it will promote the region and the city to people far away from its location. That is beyond limitations. 

Project Team 

Ilker Karaoglu
Özge Bayhan