Visual Storytelling with Amarna3D

This thesis examines the process required to develop an immersive storytelling experience in a virtual reality environment based on archaeological and historical evidence. Rather than investigate a single building or small settlement this thesis investigates the issues facing the reconstruction of a large-scale environment. Whilst this is predominately a hardware and software issue that is continually evolving through emerging technologies, the content development must be carefully considered.
The focus of this thesis is a 3D reconstruction of the ancient Egyptian city at Amarna, known as Akhetaten; the short-lived capital of Egypt between 1347 and 1332 BCE. This was a time of great religious and political upheaval known as the Amarna Period and the city itself was the backdrop to many events played out during that time.
The Amarna3D Project was started in 2000 to develop a 3D visualisation of the city and has been repurposed many times for several different outputs since then. However, it was never designed as an interactive 3D environment. To take it forward a new reconstruction will be required, one in which the viewer can move freely throughout and the original Amarna3D model will be used to inform its development. The design will require direction from the archaeological material available to maintain historical integrity and visual accuracy.
This body of work is therefore an archaeo-developer’s journey towards the creation of a historically accurate interactive visualisation of Amarna where its stories can be acted out. The overall scale of developing a full citywide model is an extremely large undertaking so this thesis limits the research to the design stage. The research looks at the unique characteristics of this specific site and refrains from developing a general framework for the design and development of a wider range of archaeological sites.