Science and Technology have achieved many heights. They have advanced so much that now you can even relive the past! In a way, this is how the future is connected to the past. Advanced virtual reality historical recreation and simulation is the new way to view your past!
The future cannot be better without a sound understanding of the past. Thus, if you’re a novice to the presence of science in imparting historical knowledge, then you have arrived at the right destination! Scroll down to find out more.
1. Advanced Virtual Reality Historical Recreation: History through VR
Reading historical textbooks can be monotonous. In an age where people prefer screens to books, it has become essential to look for a different way to teach. And thanks to advanced virtual reality, teaching has become easier!
As the name suggests, virtual reality aims to transport you to another reality. This reality is most often imagined far off in the future or takes you back down memory lane. Thus, the following are the ways you can view history through the lens of virtual reality:
1.1 TimeLooper
In an age where technology greases the vehicles to move forward, Virtual Reality and AI have a big role to play. It is fairly essential to give birth to innovations. But it is equally important to learn about the past as well. Thus, TimeLooper aims to revolutionize the ways historical knowledge is imparted. To know more about TimeLooper, go through the following points!
1.1.1. Focus on Visualization and Experience
In museums, people retain only 20% of what they read. Whereas, they retain 90% of what they visualize or experience. TimeLooper aims to educate people about the past, it relies heavily on visualization or experience. Moreover, it simultaneously uses narration to impart knowledge!
1.1.2. Spectators: Mute or Active?
While studying history, readers have always been mute spectators. This is exactly what virtual reality historical recreation and simulation seeks to overturn. To transform visitors into active participants, Timelooper presents them with holograms. By doing this, you can now strike up a conversation with these holograms!
1.1.3. The Role of AI
How Timelooper does this is no mystery. The presence of Artificial Intelligence in every field is almost undisputed. For instance, you know how the Art and Entertainment industries are responding to the role of AI. Now it’s time to grasp history with the help of Artificial Intelligence!
1.1.4. The Type of Narrator
The narrator forms a vital part of any narrative, be it fictional or historical. Thus, homodiegetic narration suits fiction perfectly. However, an omniscient narration in history tends to give an umbrella view.
Here, however, there’s an amalgamation of both. The information is omniscient. But imparting it through a historical personality makes it homodiegetic. It resembles looking through a small lens only to gaze at a vast landscape!
1.2 CyArk
Much like Time Looper, CyArk tends to revolutionize historical experiences for people. Moreover, CyArk realizes that preserving history is not an easy task. Thus, their target is to actively seek historical sites that are prone to the ravages of time. Some interesting facts about CyArk include:
1.2.1. Preserving History
In an attempt to preserve history, CyArk explores various sites. Historical sites like Rani Ki Vav in India or Buddhist temples in Myanmar have captured CyArk’s attention. CyArk explores historical sites prone to natural damage. Moreover, historical sites ravaged by humans also grab their attention.
1.2.2. 3D Mapping of a Site
Once a historical site is considered, the next step is 3D mapping. With this, a historical place is recreated as a virtual reality. This helps people to explore every nook and corner of a site. And the best part, you ask? This does not require your physical presence!
1.2.3. Facts and Information
CyArk focuses on advanced virtual reality historical recreation and simulation. However, it is not behind in providing important facts and information! Therefore, finding a separate section entitled ‘Projects’ is no surprise. Moreover, you can also subscribe to their monthly newsletter for more details!
Visit the official website of CyArk if this is something that intrigues you!
2. Advanced Virtual Reality: Does it Help History?
According to Rebecca Carlsson, “If the purpose of museums is to build a bridge between the past and present, then VR is surely one of the most innovative construction tools at their disposal.”
Rightly said by Carlsson, the role of advanced virtual reality in recreating history is an imperative one! Scroll down to know the role of advanced virtual reality in recreating history.
2.1 A Connection Between the Past and Present
The past and present have a two-way relationship. This indicates that a good understanding of the past further contributes to having a great present. However, the other way around is also true! A sound understanding of the present aids in a great knowledge of the past.
Thus, you cannot deny that the past and present are tethered to a strong bond. This connection can be glimpsed in the role that advanced virtual reality plays in recreating history.
2.2 Reading and Visualizing
Reading creates a virtual reality. Once you get engrossed in a book, it is no easy task to step away from it. In your imagination, you could be living in a war-torn country or frolicking in an incredible landscape! A rampant imagination is certainly a prerequisite for this
Since the love for reading is not engrained in every person, this is where advanced virtual reality and AI step in!
3. Advanced Virtual Reality Historical Recreation and Simulation: Museums
Advanced virtual reality has certainly made a mark in expanding historical knowledge. Bringing virtual reality into museums for an immersive experience has been incredible! As a history geek, you must try this experience.
3.1 Paris’ Louvre
The Louvre is a spectacular example of how VR enhances art exhibitions. The museum launched an advanced virtual reality experience in 2019. The ‘Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass’ not only displays the popular painting by Da Vinci.
In addition, the visitors get an opportunity to explore intricate details. Furthermore, the VR experience aims to portray the role of time in changing the renowned Renaissance painting!
3.2 The National Museum of Finland
Have you ever thought about time travel? Of course, you have. You must have wondered what it would be like to travel back into the past. But have you experienced it? Now that’s a question worth giving a thought to. Situated in Helsinki, The National Museum of Finland provides an immersive experience!
The Museum offers an advanced virtual reality experience where you can study the 3D models of artefacts. Moreover, you can view how life was in the 18th century.
In 2018, the Museum presented the artwork by R.W. Ekman, ‘The Opening of the Diet 1863 by Alexander II’. You could step into the painting and interact with historical personalities!
3.3 Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
This is one of the best museums to pay a visit to in Washington, D.C! Making use of WebVr technology, the museum boasts of its 360-degree virtual tour. Besides this, the Museum dedicates a separate section to ‘Education.’
3.4 Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Located in North-Western America, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum offers a 360 degrees virtual tour. If you possess a dire interest in mummies and tombs, then you must visit the museum! Through advanced virtual reality technology, you can explore tombs and intriguing artefacts.
4. An Amalgamation of Science and History
In his book, ‘What is History?’, E.H. Carr compares history with science. He concludes that history and science both work through a similar process. In history, there is a hypothesis. This hypothesis is then supported by facts and information.
Similarly, in science, there emerges a theory. And this theory evolved with the help of scientific facts and information. Thus, Carr sees that both history and science progress in the same way!
An amalgamation of science and history is seen in the role of advanced virtual reality in historical recreation and simulation. Here, science plays a major role in reconstructing history!
Reading history certainly offers the readers a peek through the curtains. However, now advanced virtual reality historical recreation and simulation have taken the stage. Forget peeking through the curtains. Now you can step into an entirely different world– the past!
5. Advanced Virtual Reality Historical Recreation and Simulation: Good or Bad?
Any debate on the presence of advanced virtual reality or AI is centered on its negatives and positives. And it is essential to take a look at all aspects of VR and AI!
5.1 Advantages
- Visual experience has been proven to be better than reading.
- The presence of VR in museums offers a near-realistic and immersive experience. Thus, it gives the feeling of revisiting the past.
- It’s a good alternative for people uninterested in reading and people with disabilities.
5.2 Disadvantages
- Guiding to use VR equipment. It may not be easy for some to bear in mind all the controls. Thus, learning controls could be time-consuming.
- Duration plays a key role. Since VR experiences can be long, some people might be uneasy.
- One major con is that VR experiences threaten the job security of museum guides.
6. Conclusion
The major role of advanced virtual reality in recreating history cannot be ignored. Despite certain disadvantages, AI and VR have helped to keep the tourism industry afloat. After the pandemic, museums witnessed a loss of visitors.
However, now, advanced virtual reality has put history and museums in a different light altogether! Who wouldn’t want to step into a different world and relive the past?
