DH2025 - Digital Heritage International Congress 2025

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2D and 3D Semantic Segmentation for Interpreting and Understanding 3D Heritage Spaces
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) El-Alailyi, Ahmad; Mazzacca, Gabriele; Alami, Ashkan; Padkan, Nazanin; Takhtkeshha, Narges; Fassi, Francesco; Remondino, Fabio; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The 3D digitization of Cultural Heritage (CH) sites has become increasingly requested for documentation, preservation, and analysis applications. Beyond capturing 3D spatial geometry, the semantic interpretation and understanding of digital models are critical for enabling meaningful CH studies and facilitating informed conservation strategies. However, manual annotation and classification of architectural elements and surface pathologies remain labor-intensive and time-consuming, underscoring the need for automated approaches. This study presents a comparative analysis between two distinct semantic segmentation frameworks: (1) a 2D-to-3D pipeline that projects 2D image-based detections onto 3D point clouds produced with V-SLAM data and (2) direct segmentation methods of 3D point clouds acquired with portable LiDAR sensors. These frameworks are evaluated on data acquired using two distinct mobile mapping systems (MMS): (1) a fisheye multi-camera Visual SLAM-based portable system (ATOM-ANT3D) for the 2D-to-3D pipeline; (2) a LiDAR-based MMS (Heron MS Twin Color) for the 3D segmentation methods. Achieved results demonstrate the ability of the proposed frameworks to generate semantically enriched 3D heritage data, with the 2D-to-3D method slightly outperforming the 3D segmentation techniques.
360° Virtual Tours at the National Roman Museum. Making Culture Heritage Participatory, Accessible, and Personalized
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Torre, Eliana Maria; Poce, Antonella; Andone, Diana; Tãtaru, Marius-Cosmin; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
As agents of social change, museums should promote inclusivity and accessibility. Despite the challenges of achieving this part of the museum's mission, it is possible to address them on a case-by-case basis. This paper outlines a segment of an ongoing doctoral research project at the National Roman Museum (MNR) in Rome, Italy. First, the concepts of inclusivity and accessibility are discussed. Next, it is explored how Virtual Reality (VR) and Digital Storytelling (DST) can enhance inclusive education. Following this, three 360 virtual tours are introduced, integrated with a DST approach, and created in Delightex. This section outlines how the platform operates, its features, and the technical process of creating the tours. The design principles for making the tours accessible and catering to the diverse interests and needs of various audiences are also addressed. At the current stage of the experimental phase, user experience evaluation involved two main groups: experts in IT and design, and the general public, which comprises individuals with varied demographics and digital skills. This paper presents preliminary results from the experimental stage, outlining the next steps for future development and implementation.
3D Autonomous Agents for Virtual Heritage
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Hegarty, Zackary; Guidi, Gabriele; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This paper presents a novel methodology for integrating agent-based modeling (ABM) into virtual heritage, with a focus on simulating human behavior within philologically grounded 3D reconstructions of ancient spaces. Whereas traditional digital heritage projects have prioritized visual accuracy in architectural reconstructions, our approach introduces an experimental dimension by treating these virtual environments as testbeds for behavioral hypotheses. Drawing on advances in complex systems research, we propose a simulation framework that leverages symbolic artificial intelligence to generate emergent crowd behaviors under diverse historical, architectural, and social conditions. We outline a general methodological workflow for implementing ABM in virtual heritage using Unity3D with any reconstructive 3D model, and we illustrate this approach with examples from a previously published case study. This work contributes to the growing field of simulation-based research, promoting the use of complexity theory methodologies as a valuable epistemological tool in cultural heritage scholarship.
3D Data in the Data Space for Cultural Heritage
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Münster, Sander; Medici, Marco; Fresa, Antonella; Stan, Alexandru; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The common European data space for cultural heritage is an initiative of the European Union, funded under its Digital Europe programme. It supports the digital transformation of Europe's cultural sector and allows cultural heritage institutions across Europe to share digitised cultural heritage content, with high-quality metadata, including in 3D, to promote the reuse of digitised cultural heritage among various audiences, creating value for the economy and society. The workshop is dedicated to (1) to provide an insight in the Data Space for Cultural Heritage and the supporting projects carried out particularly to deal with 3D assets. (2) To discuss the impact of those endeavours with regards to overarching challenges as data, standards, capacities and application, (3) provide a hands-one experience with innovative tools.
3D Digital Silk Road - the Project and Its Results Overview
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Milosz, Marek; Milosz, Elzbieta; Montusiewicz, Jerzy; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The aim of the "3D Digital Silk Road" project was to carry out research and popularization work in the field of 3D digitization of cultural heritage in Uzbekistan. The project involved five universities: Lublin University of Technology (LUT) from Poland and four Partners from Uzbekistan: National University of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Samarkand State University, Urgench State University and Chirchik State Pedagogical Institute. The project is a great example of interdisciplinary cooperation between computer scientists from LUT and Uzbek historians and museum experts. The work related to 3D scanning objects was carried out in museums. During the project a methodology for scanning large architectural objects with heavy tourist traffic was developed, implemented and improved. The main result of the project is the website (https:silkroad3d.com) and a perpetual archive of 3D scans. During the project many additional tasks were carried out.
3D Digitalization of Wooden Churches - Techniques and Challenges During Preservation Efforts
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Badurowicz, Marcin; Skulimowski, Stanislaw Piotr; Montusiewicz, Jerzy; Szymczyk, Tomasz; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
In this paper, the authors are showing the organizational and technical challenged encountered while preserving wooden architecture in the Carpathian region. The authors are presenting two case studies of 3D scanning of wooden churches in Romania and Poland, which were performed using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and terrestrial short-range photogrammetry (TSRP). The paper describes the workflow of the operation, challenges during scanning due to both organization, technology limitations, access to the buildings and even weather, and solutions applied during the process of digitalization of these historical buildings.
3D Digitisation for Geological and Paleontological Specimens: Challenges and Solutions
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Ammirati, Luisa; Bordignon, Alice; Collina, Federica; Fabbri, Francesca; Ferdani, Daniele; Rega, Maria Felicia; Sullini, Mattia; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This study outlines the methodology employed for the digitisation and visualisation in different 3D Virtual Environment (both web-based and desktop-based) of paleontological and geological specimens from the Geological Collection ''Giovanni Capellini Museum'', part of the University of Bologna's museum system.The digitisation process involved 87 objects of varying sizes, shapes, materials, and conservation states, following the proven methodology implemented within the Digital Twin of L'Altro Rinascimento's temporary exhibition, developed within the PNRR project CHANGES (Spoke 4). This paper describes the pipeline adopted to address specific challenges encountered during the acquisition campaign of the diverse specimen. A preliminary assessment was conducted to determine the most suitable technique for each object based on its size, shape, material, and conservation state. The study showcases different integrated techniques, including photogrammetry, structured light scanning (SLS), and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). The results demonstrate the flexibility and reproducibility of this approach, making it suitable for different heritage preservation and dissemination applications.
3D Technologies on the Underwater Archaeological Site of the Ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria (Egypt)
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Hairy, Isabelle; Abdelaziz, Mohamed; Elsayed, Mohamed; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Located in Alexandria, Egypt, the ancient Pharos ruins lie scattered across approximately 1.6 hectares under the Mediterranean Sea. Since 1994, the Centre d'Études Alexandrines (CEAlex), a research unit operating under the aegis of the CNRS, has been leading extensive studies of this complex submerged site with an international team of underwater archaeologists. Due to the scale of the work, scientists initiated a photogrammetry program in 2009 for studying and potentially reassembling the archaeological fragments. This effort expanded in 2013 with the creation of a digital twin of the entire site. Digital technologies have profoundly transformed the scientists' work, both in the field and during post-excavation analysis, opening new avenues for site analysis and research perspectives.
4D Data Organization and Alignment atWorld Scale
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Münster, Sander; Bruschke, Jonas; Komorowicz, Dávid; Preßler, Rebecca Debora; Rajan, Vaibhav; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
A current challenge related to 4D viewers at world scale is the low number and geographic and temporal coverage of 3D models available. To overcome this issue, we work on different tools to (1) harvest 3D models, images, and location-based information from multiple sources via automated and community-based approaches; (2) automatically process these into 4D cityscape models; (3) make the 4D models accessible in two visualizations: via a 4D browser and a location-dependent augmented reality representation. Since previous articles report on the pipeline, tools, and usage scenarios, this contribution highlights ongoing developments in (1) large-scale 3D data retrieval; (2) 3D mesh model and LiDAR processing; and (3) novel view synthesis via Gaussian Splatting. The datasets are viewed in two 4D world viewers for (4) desktop browsing and (5) location-based mobile use. To date, they have been tested in seven countries.
Acquisition and digitization of large scale heritage scenes with open source project https://github.com/MapsHD/HDMapping
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Bedkowski, Janusz; Matecki, Marcin; Pelka, Michal; Majek, Karol; Fitri, Tresya; Kostrzewa, A.; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This paper describes an open source project https://github.com/MapsHD/HDMapping for large-scale 3D mapping using an open-hardware hand-held LiDAR measurement device available at https://github.com/JanuszBedkowski/mandeye_controller in application of large-scale heritage scenes acquisition and digitization. It implements multi view terrestrial laser scanning algorithms, LiDAR odometry, Pose Graph SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping), NDT (Normal Distributions Transform) and ICP (Iterative Closest Point). Mobile mapping systems is based on LiVOX MID360 - laser scanner with non repetitive scanning pattern equipped with equirectangular camera. This project runs from 2023, the current version v0.76 has significant improvements in lidar odometry and georeferencing. The goal of the project is to provide an affordable mobile mapping system and an open source software that can be widely used also by Culture Heritage community.
Acting Like an Expert: Analyzing Eye and Movement Behavior when Exploring Archaeological Artifacts
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Dumonteil, Maxime; Nicolas, Théophane; Macé, Marc J.-M.; Gouranton, Valérie; Leguedois, Yan; Gaugne, Ronan; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This study proposes a novel methodological framework for investigating the visual exploration of archaeological artifacts in both real and virtual environments, integrating eye-tracking and movement data to analyze user behavior. Focused on three vases of varying shapes and decorative registers, the research examines the influence of object characteristics and user expertise on exploration strategies. Our results reveal that while both expert and non-expert participants identify structural and diagnostic features, such as geometric patterns and manufacturing traces, experts engage in more integrative, analytical exploration, focusing on both technical and decorative aspects. In contrast, non-experts prioritize prominent visual cues, often without full comprehension of their significance. These findings demonstrate that visual behaviors are influenced both by the physical characteristics of the artifacts and by the observer's level of expertise. They also show that certain visual cues--such as shape transitions or manufacturing marks--are particularly effective in triggering recognition, even among non-experts. This study contributes to neuro-archaeology by advancing eye-tracking and users' movements analysis as tools for analyzing cognitive processes in archaeological interpretation, offering a robust, reproducible methodology that can be applied to diverse archaeological contexts, enhancing our understanding of how artifacts reveal archaeologically meaningful information through visual perception.
Advanced digitisation and AI-powered data processing for Cultural Heritage: the HERITALISE Project
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Matrone, Francesca; Chiabrando, Filiberto; Lingua, Andrea Maria; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The digitisation of cultural heritage assets ensures an accurate digital archive for future generations and serves as a powerful tool for conveying the knowledge and significance of material heritage to the broader public. This contribution presents the overall goals of the HERITALISE project and the foreseen activities, which will combine AI tools for data processing and metadata and paradata creation. NeRF, 3D Gaussian Splatting and LLMs will be involved in the project with different aims ensuring the advancement of digitisation methodologies and standardisation in the cultural heritage field.
Advancing Armenian Inscription Recognition
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Nersesian, Gevorg; Sarvazyan, Narine; Khachatryan, Suren; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Armenian monuments are rich in carved stone inscriptions. These inscriptions serve as vital records of cultural and linguistic heritage, offering insights into the lives, beliefs, and traditions of Armenians during the Middle ages. However, detecting and comprehending these inscriptions pose significant challenges. Due to weathering, vandalism, erosion, and the complexity of ancient scripts, many of these texts remain unreadable. Yet, the few existing studies indicate that deciphering these messages from the past is feasible with technological advancements. In the present project we study a unique, newly created and unex- plored collection of digital twins of Armenian tapanakars (tombstones) and khachkars (cross-stones) focusing on hierarchical segmentation of the images using the detected geometrical and statistical features. The results are applied to character classi- fication and the accuracy of the generated images is estimated. Since the detection stage of the algorithm is universal for any kind of shapes, it opens up new research avenues that extend beyond text recognition alone. The same pipeline can be adapted to identify decorative motifs, geometric symbols, and other visual patterns commonly found on tapanakar surfaces.
Aerial point cloud classification in archaeological scenarios
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Mazzacca, Gabriele; Cirigliano, Prospero; Remondino, Fabio; Campana, Stefano; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
LiDAR point clouds are becoming more and more used and important in archaeology for revealing ancient structures hidden below canopy. The tutorial will present how 3D semantic segmentation in aerial archaeological point clouds could support the identification of hidden structures and the interpretation of heritage scenarios.
AI and New Digital Education
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Lacriola, Michele; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society and research cannot be underestimated.We urgently needs to address this transformation with a strategic and long-term perspective, also involving historical sciences. From a historical standpoint, artificial intelligence raises three main issues: the use of AI to support research, the reliability of the information generated, and the digital literacy that must be imparted to students. Specifically, it is expected that historical research and student activities will increasingly rely on AI tools, despite current limitations in distinguishing automatically generated content. This challenges us to reverse the problem: how can historians, especially at the academic level, effectively leverage AI and pass these skills on to students? The central challenge lies in learning to speka the language of AI content production, known as prompt engineering. This discipline involves formulating optimized inputs for AI models to obtain more relevant and accurate responses, thereby increasing productivity in historical research without compromising the quality of critical analysis. The goal is not to create a technological tool but to design an innovative approach that enables historians to fully exploit AI's potential while maintaining the centrality of source criticism and methodological rigor. Through advanced application of prompt engineering, historians can improve research, interpretation, and communication processes, addressing some of the traditional challenges associated with historical source analysis. The new methodology aims to equip historians with conceptual tools to manage and analyze large amounts of data, evaluate sources more effectively, and narrate history in a more dynamic and accessible way. Moreover, the integration of AI in teaching will open new opportunities to make learning more interactive and personalized, stimulating students' critical thinking and enhancing their historical understanding. This interdisciplinary approach, combining humanities and computer engineering, will prepare future historians for an increasingly digital research landscape.
Ambiances Integration in the HBIM Process Towards an Ambient Twin: A Literature Review
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Bouzgarrou, Nadia; Hussein, Faten; Lescop, Laurent; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
This paper discusses new methods for digitally valorizing a heritage by proposing the inclusion of sensory and atmospheric dimensions within Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) workflows. The age of digital transformation has afforded unprecedented tools through immersive technologies and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), with which to enrich heritage beyond its geometric documentation. Instead of reframing or transforming the experiences of cultural heritage, we propose to turn to a poetic-sensory model with an awareness of the ambient as the mediation between the physical and experiential dimensions. Through a critical literature review and analysis of HBIM projects in Tunis (Tunisia) and Nantes (France), we both take stock of current practices and suggest future possibilities for defining ambient and in-tangible knowledge using HBIM as the modality. Importantly, our Research supports the evolution of digital twins to encompass ambient twins, to document, capture and ultimately portray emotional attachments and cultural significance of heritage places. The proposed model is currently being developed within the framework of a joint PhD. The case studies in Tunis and Nantes aim to identify relevant tools and methods to capture, store, and integrate atmospheric data into HBIM environments.
AMELIA High performance computing cluster
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Bretti, Gabriella; Pedone, Massimiliano; Bernaschi, Massimo; D'Ambra, Pasqua; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
Here we present the new datacenter AMELIA created in Naples in the framework of the PNRR Project "Humanities and cultural Heritage Italian Open Science Cloud" (H2IOSC). It serves as a resource for research in mathematical modelling and calibration of parameters, scientific computing, machine learning and AI development, with applications in cultural heritage, quantum mechanics and numerical linear algebra.
App AskGate - Four Steps in Ascalon
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Luschi, Cecilia Maria Roberta; Vezzi, Alessandra; Niccolai, Federico; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The development of the app called AskGate originated from the results obtained by the Italian Archaeological Mission MAECI (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation). The research group, consisting of architects, archaeologists, physicists and artists since 2020, has been working on the case study of the so-called church of Santa Maria in Viridis, within the ancient city of Ascalona (Israel) under the direction of Prof. C. M. R. Luschi. The main challenge was to find a language capable of expressing the process of scientific research which would involve the user. The theme of the representation adopted for the app entrusts the narrative in its significant parts to the eloquence of the image, respecting the gestalt linked to the use of the smartphone.
Application of LiDAR Sensors for the Reconstruction of the Production Techniques of Artificial Conglomerate Blocks: the Case of the Maconi Tower - Siena (Italy)
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Rossi, Gioele; Bruttini, Jacopo; Camporeale, Stefano; Gabbrielli, Fabio; Giamello, Marco; Tavarnelli, Enrico; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
The Maconi tower, dating back to around the 12th century and belonging to one of the leading families of medieval Siena, is characterised, in its internal and external façades, by a wall made of limestone blocks, reused bricks and large blocks of artificial conglomerate. The latter, the subject of this research and also visible in other buildings in the city, are parallelepiped in shape and are made of mortar and angular stone elements, with a texture that varies depending on the size and shape of the aggregates, as well as the processing of the blocks themselves. The aim of the research was to verify the effectiveness of new three-dimensional survey methodologies for the documentation and morphological analysis of artificial conglomerate blocks, in order to understand the production system of the latter. To this end, the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology integrated into Apple IPhone PRO devices was used, with which it was possible to obtain detailed 3D scans with the help of a free application and an electronic stabilizer, all accompanied by measurements with traditional systems (comb profiler), used to verify the method. The study concerned, in particular, the evaluation of the roughness of the external surface of the blocks, or the three-dimensional shape of the external faces, as a possible indicator for understanding the methods of construction and processing. The analysis of the surface texture, obtained through three-dimensional scanning, highlighted two types of surfaces in relation to the variation values between the level of the mortar and the top of the stone elements: the first type shows a significant variation, while the second has a more contained difference, indicating a different degree of irregularity. The investigations conducted allowed us to quantify the roughness of the artificial conglomerate blocks, highlighting variations compatible with different exposure to atmospheric agents and/or different construction methods.
Architectural Surveying, from Point Cloud to CAD/BIM: Towards Automation of Data Processing for Large-Scale Projects
(The Eurographics Association, 2025) Muyle, Carla; Schenkel, Arnaud; Campana, Stefano; Ferdani, Daniele; Graf, Holger; Guidi, Gabriele; Hegarty, Zackary; Pescarin, Sofia; Remondino, Fabio
As part of a project to digitize the infrastructure of the Université Libre de Bruxelles, a semi-automated digital acquisition methodology was developed to create a 3D inventory of the buildings on the Solbosch Campus. The objective is to build an up-to-date graphical database to facilitate the daily maintenance of the sites and support future renovation projects. A systematic workflow was therefore established: one that is both tailored to the constraints, challenges, and goals specific to each building, and that incorporates automated data processing methods to ensure efficiency, consistency, and scientific accuracy throughout the acquisition process. The ultimate aim is to produce coherent datasets that are aligned with one another, streamlining procedures for projects of similar nature and scale. The long-term value of this approach lies in the potential to fully automate certain stages of the workflow, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining high standards of data accuracy.

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