Out of the storeroom and into the virtual
based on reviews by Alicia Walsh and 1 anonymous reviewer
Implementing Digital Documentation Techniques for Archaeological Artifacts to Develop a Virtual Exhibition: the Necropolis of Baley Collection
Abstract
Recommendation: posted 23 January 2024, validated 02 February 2024
Waagen, J. (2024) Out of the storeroom and into the virtual. Peer Community in Archaeology, 100349. 10.24072/pci.archaeo.100349
Recommendation
This paper (Raykovska et al. 2023) discusses the digital documentation techniques and development of a virtual exhibition for artefacts retrieved from the necropolis of Baley, Bulgaria. The principal aim of this particular project is a solid one, trying to provide a solution to display artefacts that would otherwise remain hidden in museum storerooms. The paper describes how through a combination of 3D scanning and photogrammetry high quality 3D models have been produced, and provide content for an online virtual exhibition for the scientific community but also the larger public. It is a well-written and concise paper, in which the information on developed methods and techniques are transparently described, and various important aspects of digitization workflows, such as the importance of storing raw data, are addressed.
The paper is a timely discussion on this subject, as strategies to develop digital artefact collections and what to do with those are increasingly being researched. Specifically, it discusses a workflow and its results, both in great detail. Although critical reflection on the process, goals and results from various perspectives would have been a valuable addition to the paper (cf., Jeffra 2020, Paardekoper 2019), it nonetheless provides a good practice example of how to approach the creation of a virtual museum. Those who consider projects concerning digital documentation of archaeological artefacts as well as the creation of virtual spaces to use those in for research, education or valorisation purposes would do well to read this paper carefully.
References
Jeffra, C., Hilditch, J., Waagen, J., Lanjouw, T., Stoffer, M., de Gelder, L., and Kim, M. J. (2020). Blending the Material and the Digital: A Project at the Intersection of Museum Interpretation, Academic Research, and Experimental Archaeology. The EXARC Journal, 2020(4). https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10541
Paardekooper, R.P. (2019). Everybody else is doing it, so why can’t we? Low-tech and High-tech approaches in archaeological Open-Air Museums. The EXARC Journal, 2019(4). https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/10457/
Raykovska, M., Jones, K., Klecherova, H., Alexandrov, S., Petkov, N., Hristova, T., and Ivanov, G. (2023). Implementing Digital Documentation Techniques for Archaeological Artifacts to Develop a Virtual Exhibition: the Necropolis of Baley Collection. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10091870
The recommender in charge of the evaluation of the article and the reviewers declared that they have no conflict of interest (as defined in the code of conduct of PCI) with the authors or with the content of the article. The authors declared that they comply with the PCI rule of having no financial conflicts of interest in relation to the content of the article.
The authors declare that they have received no specific funding for this study
Evaluation round #2
DOI or URL of the preprint: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10091870
Version of the preprint: 2
Author's Reply, 23 Jan 2024
Dear Jitte,
Thank you for performing the second edit of our paper. We appreciate your time to give us these reviews and recommendations.
We have addressed all of the errors that you advised in your review and have performed a more extensive copy edit on the document, particularly for the Study Site section.
Additionally, the technical errors relating to the website link have been resolved
We have uploaded our final version to the Zenodo preprint server (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10529167).
Kind Regards,
Miglena Raykovska
Decision by Jitte Waagen, posted 07 Dec 2023, validated 07 Dec 2023
Dear authors,
I received feedback of the reviewers, and closeread the text. It is very much improved, although I would ask you to take note of some remaining textual issues, listed below. If those are fixed, we can proceed to final publication!
- Please have someone proof-read the paper, preferably a native speaker, mainly in the first part there are a few clear grammatical errors.
- Pay attention to abbreviations etc. e.g. kilometers in line 77 and then m in line 81
- Line 84 ; and : used for the same purposes
- Line 91, inconsistency in 1200 m2, and then one hundred etc.; above nine just use numbers
- The link (see remark reviewer) does not work on the first try, just on the second try. Maybe you can have a look at that to make sure it works smoothly.
Again, thanks for your contribution so far.
Best wishes,
Jitte
Reviewed by anonymous reviewer 1, 05 Dec 2023
Much improved. Only one thing, the website referred to in the paper does not exist anymore: https://3dlab.iict.bas.bg/baley/
Evaluation round #1
DOI or URL of the preprint: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8027549
Version of the preprint: 1
Author's Reply, 09 Nov 2023
Dear Jitte,
Thank you for recommending our paper and thank you for your suggestions and those of the two reviewers. We appreciate them and found them to be helpful for the presentation of our research.
We have addressed both reviews provided and have expanded and consolidated the suggested topics and sections of the text.
Minor grammatical errors were corrected throughout the document as advised, as well as major changes as per the recommendations of the reviewers at the following lines:
Line 70-71; 141-143; 170-180; 207-232; 258-263; 279-292
We have uploaded our final version to the Zenodo preprint surver (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10091870).
Kind regards,
Decision by Jitte Waagen, posted 22 Sep 2023, validated 22 Sep 2023
Dear authors,
Your very interesting paper received two excellent reviews containing some very good suggestions and questions. Addressing these will in my opinion surely increase the quality and impact of the paper.
I agree with the suggestions for clarifications and elaborations in both reviews, and I think these will not take you too much time. I hope you find the time to work on these!
Thanks for your contribution so far.
Best wishes,
Jitte
Reviewed by anonymous reviewer 1, 11 Sep 2023
Language generally fine. Some small grammar issues.
Some issues with content, structure and scientific value of results.
Issues with aims of project and results:
1. abstract mentions that optimisation of computational workflow is an aim. This is never really discussed in this paper. Also, is this optimisation just for the project members, to optimise workflow and increase technical expertise, or is it something useful for the general research community as well?
2. main aim of project is to create a workflow that can be used by others with a similar goal to create a virtual exhibit. But how do you intend to make your workflows accessible to other projects and researchers? I didnt see a satisfactory solution for this presented in this paper.
Issue with technical workflow:
line 143. The two models from different origins were oriented to overlap. Was this done manually, or using some kind of automated software feature in zbrush?
Issue with structure/content:
At two places in the text you discuss design decisions (line 171-184; but also 211 -226). Better to integrate the discussion.
VR design and specific choices in it appears to have played an important role in your project. But ultimately very descriptive in paper, while a more problematising approach would be more interesting. It would be useful for others to learn more about the design process and the results of the discussions with the varying individuals, and how these influenced the design decisions. For instance, did the individuals from different backgrounds align or not?
Reviewed by Alicia Walsh, 07 Sep 2023
This is a well-written, concise, and detailed paper on the use of virtual environments to exhibit archaeological collections. The research aims and methods used were clearly presented and justified throughout, and the study site in the introduction provided an interesting explanation of the relevance of this collection for the case study.
In the methods section, the techniques used were described in sufficient detail, and the limitations identified in 3D scanning formed an accurate explanation of why it was used in conjunction with photogrammetry. It was good to see an emphasis on the storage of raw data both in the methods and discussion.
In methods, line 173, it is noted that individuals of varying backgrounds determined the ideal design. This could use elaboration, as it is interesting which stakeholders were involved in the decision-making process.
While many benefits of virtual museums have been accurately identified in this paper, drawbacks could have been noted and elaborated on, as the author only notes that virtual environments cannot replace real-life experiences. This could be done by drawing on examples of recent relevant works.
Further discussion on the feasibility of extending this collection would also be appreciated. As the abstract notes, this is a way of showcasing artifacts that normally remain hidden in storage. It would therefore be interesting to hear more about the limitations or necessary tools needed to implement and curate a virtual environment long-term.
