Cultural Heritage Preservation
Cobb's World
Cobb's World is a unique initiative aimed at preserving and studying the historical significance of cultural heritage sites. The project utilizes state-of-the-art drone technology to create 3D models of historical structures and landmarks, providing a comprehensive and accurate representation of their current state. The use of drones allows the team to capture aerial images from various angles and distances, providing a comprehensive view of the sites. This information is then used to reconstruct buildings and monuments in their original form, as they were in the 1850s. The recreation of historical landscapes offer valuable insights into cultural and historical significance of structures and landmarks.
The use of drones in this project allows for a more efficient and cost-effective method of mapping these sites, providing an unprecedented level of detail and insight into the sites' architecture, design, and history. The 3D models created through this process are used to support historical research and the preservation of these structures for future generations. This project not only helps in the preservation of cultural heritage but also provides a unique opportunity for the study of history, making it a landmark accomplishment in the field of cultural heritage preservation.
The project is a collaborative effort between experts in the fields of history, archaeology, and technology, and the results provide a valuable resource for both researchers and the general public. The 3D models and data generated from this project are being made available to the public, allowing for further study and analysis. Additionally, the models can be used for educational purposes, allowing students and the general public to experience the sites virtually and gain a deeper understanding of the sites' cultural and historical significance. This project is a testament to the power of technology in preserving our cultural heritage and shedding new light on the rich history of our world.
Cobb's World Activities
This project assembles and makes available to the public a variety of geospatial products for visualization and manipualtion using different technologies, in support of teaching learning and research. See below for current products and activities.
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Virtual walk tour around the Taylor-Grady House. (day) (night)
Devices: desktop.
To navigate using desktop: use "a" key to move to the left, "d" key to move to the right, "s" key to walk backwards, "w" key to move forward. When moving forward, use the mouse cursor to indicate direction.
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Individual 3D models for local or online visualization.
TRR Cobb House, 2023. (link)
First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 2023. (link)
Mrs. Rebekah Dougherty's boxtomb at the Old Athens Cemetery. (link)
Devices: desktop, tablet and phone.
Click the link to download the model to your device. Click the downloaded item to open a 3D viewer (device dependent - may require the installation of 3D viewer).
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3D model of Howell Cobb Pope Street House (early version). (link)
Devices: desktop, tablet, phone or headset. Virtual Reality ready.
Click the question mark icon (bottom right of model) for instructions on how to navigate. Explore other buttons and settings.
Click the model inspector icon (bottom right of model) and inspect the architecture of the house without materials applied. Use the MatCap and Wireframe modes of the inspector for that.
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Virtual visits to historical houses (historical digital twins), including teleporting and 360 degree panorama sets.
Devices: desktop, tablet, Oculus. For desktop, click link or "Enter scene" below. For tablets or phones, use the corresponding QR code. For Oculus, navigate to page and use link.
Keyboard and mouse navigation instructions are provided by the application. Click on hotspots (white markers) to teleport to location. Open the midia strip (right side of the screen) and click on specific panoramas to teleport to location.
Funding and Collaborators:
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Center for Teaching and Learning, UGA
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TRR Cobb House
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Watson Brown Foundation