Embark on a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Iberian culture with this use-case scenario led by the University Research Institute for Iberian Archaeology at the University of Jaén, Spain. Delving into the vibrant history of the Iberians, a prominent group inhabiting the southern and eastern regions of the Iberian Peninsula during the Iron Age (6th-1st century BC), this project promises an immersive exploration.
The focal point of this endeavour is a carefully curated collection of 3D models representing archaeological objects tied to the Iberian culture. These models are not just artifacts; they serve as educational tools spanning various levels—primary, secondary, and university education. What makes this initiative even more remarkable is its commitment to inclusivity, catering to individuals with visual and intellectual impairments.
In refining and enhancing these 3D models, our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive, and engaging experience for users. By leveraging cutting-edge ICT technologies, we aim to present aspects of Iberian life, including religion, ritual, death, society, gender, clothing, and daily life, in a novel and entertaining manner.
Henk Alkemade, CARARE's Deputy Operations Manager, expresses the vision:
"The models, previously accessible on Europeana in pdf format, have undergone a transformation into more user-friendly formats. Through metadata enrichment and reintegration into Europeana (Figure 1), we have made them more discoverable, accessible, interoperable, and retrievable.
Figure 1. Schema for Europeana as educational tool and example with the 3D models of the Sanctuary Cueva de La Lobera
Currently, 75 3D models are already available in Europeana (Figura 2). This collection includes the sculptures of Cerrillo Blanco, El Pajarillo, the Lady of Cerro Alcalá and the Goddess of Puerta del Sol; votive offerings from Torrebenzalá, Cueva de la Lobera, Haza del Rayo, Giribaile and La Bobadilla; projectile points from Cerro de la Muela; funerary boxes from Piquía and Los Chorrillos; and the sanctuaries of Puerta del Sol and Cueva de La Lobera. All 3D models are complemented with descriptions, photos and videos subtitled in Spanish and English. In this way, the collection is made more inclusive by making it accessible to people with some type of disability.
Figure 2. 3D model of Iberian warrior from Cerrillo Blanco in Europeana
The collection of 3D models can be seen in Europeana at this link
Secondary education students (14-16 years old) can participate in workshops held during Science Week 2023-2024, Meetings-UJA, Explora-IES and in the International day of Woman and Girl in Science organized by the University of Jaén. See: Iberian 3D models in the Science Week 2023
University-level students (18-21 years old) in disciplines such as Archaeology, Geography and History, and Computer Science can benefit from lectures, seminars, and practical sessions.
Figure 3. Educational events using Iberian 3D models. Up-left: workshop with children (6-10 years old). Up-right: workshop with secondary school students (14-16 years old). Down-left: workshop with secondary school students (14-16 years old) (IUIAI-UJA).Down-right: workshop with University students (18-24 years old)
These educational events aim to highlight various dimensions through 3D models, covering history with iconographic analysis, methodology explaining the 3D modeling and ageing process, conservation emphasizing the effectiveness of 3D models, and dissemination stressing the role of 3D models in understanding the past and promoting social inclusivity.
Figure 4. Left: 3D model of Iberian ex-voto printed using bronze filament. Right: Tridimensional puzzle of an Iberian sculpture representing a wolf (IUIAI-UJA)
Empowering Through Inclusivity: Iberian 3D Models for People with Visual and Intellectual Impairments
In a groundbreaking initiative, our second field of action centers on making Iberian heritage accessible to people with visual and intellectual impairments. Collaborating with the Iberian Museum of Jaén, we are developing activities that utilize 3D models to disseminate Iberian heritage in a tactile and auditory manner.
The endeavor to enhance access to Cultural Heritage for groups with varying degrees of disability, has transcended individual and national boundaries. In 2021, the European Union unveiled the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, signaling a commitment to substantial improvements in the lives of individuals with disabilities. This strategy envisions empowering them to actively contribute to an inclusive, green, and digital economy, reinforcing the core values of the EU.
Emphasizing education and culture as fundamental rights, the strategy urges Member States to champion the arts of persons with disabilities. It calls for increased visibility through exhibitions and performances and advocates for the accessibility of art collections and museums. Notably, the role of 3D models in disseminating archaeological heritage among people with visual impairments is underscored. Museums are evolving by creating inclusive spaces, organizing exhibitions tailored to this user group, and incorporating spatial accessibility, tactile models, 3D printed replicas, braille texts, and explanatory audio files (Figure 5 & 6).
Figure 5. Left: models of Iberian pottery (Archaeological and History Museum of Elche, Spain). Centre: model of the Iberian sculpture Lady of Elche (ONCE Typhlological Museum, Madrid, Spain). Right: model of Greek krater (Museum of Villajollosa, Spain)
Figure 6. Basic schema in museums with rooms for people with visual impairments (IUIAI-UJA/5DCulture)
Looking through the lens of providing valuable historical information to individuals with impairments, the 3D models, along with accompanying text and sound files, aim to convey basic knowledge about object types, iconography, and the meanings behind scenes depicted in archaeological material. This holistic approach, exemplified by projects like the Iberians in the 5DCulture project, seeks to offer insights into aspects such as way of life, landscape perception, gender relations, religion, and ritual.
The result of this proposal has been the design of the inclusive experience inaugurated at the Ibero Museum in Jaén (Spain) entitled TOUCH, SEE, HEAR. AN INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH IBERIAN HERITAGE IN 3D and aimed at people with visual, auditory, and intellectual impairments, as well as children. In this experience, 12 3D printed models have been used with textures that imitate the feel of stone. To make them more inclusive, they have been completed with easy-to-read texts, Braille texts, and Navilens codes that lead to subtitled audio video files.
Figure 7. Inclusive experience in the Iberian Museum of Jaén (IUIAI-UJA)
From a technical standpoint, 3D printing is far from a simple process. Careful consideration of settings, including size, orientation, filament type, bed levelling, nozzle diameter and temperature, layer height, adhesion assistants, supports, speed of cooling fan, infill density, shell thickness and more, is essential to strike the right balance between time and model quality (Figure 8).
Figure 8. Printing of the 3D model of the Iberian sculpture grifomaquia using PLA filament and at a scale of 15% (Height: 13.5 cm, Width: 12 cm, Thickness: 9 cm) (IUIAI-UJA/5DCulture)
For individuals with visual impairments, controlling the size and scale of the model is crucial for a tactile experience. Choosing the right filament type and the best treatment surface to achieve an optimal roughness/smoothness level for shape perception is vita (Figure 9).
Figure 9. 3D models (20 cm height) of an ex-voto from Torrebenzalá using PLA and PLA with a surface treatment
After two years of international cooperation, the 5Dculture project has achieved a remarkable transformation in how European cultural heritage is preserved, shared, and reimagined through the power of 3D technologies. Looking back, the project has delivered tangible results that ...
On November 28, 2024, the Ibero Museum of Jaén (Spain) and 5Dculture inaugurated an inclusive experience titled TOUCH, SEE, HEAR. AN INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH IBERIAN HERITAGE IN 3D. The exhibition presents the novelty of being aimed at diverse audiences: people with visual, audi...
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