10. Using Virtual Reality to understand Astronomical knowledge and Historical Landscapes at Preclassic Ceros, Belize
From the Ground to the Sky - Ten Years of Skyscape Archaeology - Fabio Silva
Jeffrey Ryan Vadala [+]
University of Florida
Jeffrey Vadala is a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida.
Susan Milbrath
Description
The authors follow Delanda’s approach to ontology where he argued that all objects of study should be viewed as heterogeneous parts rather than a priori or predefined objects of study. The authors argue that the ancient Maya of Cerro “observed features in the coastal landscape that marked zenith events, and over time they constructed buildings to memorialize this observation point”. In the course of their argument the authors employ 3D modelling of the site and surrounding landscape to further explore the cosmological implications of spatial structure, making this one of very few archaeoastronomical studies to deploy immersive technology.