Storytelling & Urban History

Use Case - The Golden Bond

The Golden Bond: Unfolding the Kapulukaya Hoard is an interactive, multi-platform 3D interpretation centered on late Roman gold solidi and a terracotta vessel housed at the Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum in Ankara, Türkiye. Developed by the University of Milan in collaboration with Ankara University, as part of the 3DBigDataSpace Outreach Synergy Call, the project transforms micro-heritage into an accessible narrative.

Core Framework & Narrative:

Semantic Storytelling Origami:

The experience follows a 6-scene narrative structured across 5 interpretative beats (Hook, Exposition, Complication, Evidence, Climax, Resolution) to guide users from initial discovery to close numismatic analysis.

Bilingual & Multi-Channel Access:

Fully localized in English and Turkish, it is accessible on-site via a museum kiosk and remotely through desktop browsers, mobile web, and WebAR (activated via QR codes).

Results & User Feedback

Asset Optimization:

Using Draco geometry compression (level 6) and WebP textures, the team achieved an approximate 95% reduction in binary payload (e.g., reducing coin models from ~82–96 MB down to ~2.3–5.6 MB), ensuring smooth loading on mobile and kiosk hardware.

Metadata & Standards Alignment:

Fully documented with CIDOC CRM 7.1.3 JSON-LD records, CRMdig 5.0 paradata, Nomisma numismatic identifiers, and London Charter compliance deposited on Zenodo under CC-BY 4.0.

User Reach & Satisfaction:

Reached over 370 users between physical kiosk visitors and online users during initial deployment, scoring an average System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 82/100 ("excellent usability")

Resources

The Golden Bond - Live application

Use Case - The Ruppendorf Time Machine

The Ruppendorf Time Machine (Digital Museum Ruppendorf) is a browser-based, mobile-first Progressive Web App (PWA) that virtualizes the Wasserburg Ruppendorf—the only surviving moated castle ruin in the Eastern Ore Mountains (first documented in 1349). Developed by Apus Systems alongside local chronicle experts, it allows visitors to explore nearly 900 years of regional history directly on their devices via an on-site QR code panel without requiring app downloads or specialized VR hardware.

Core Modules & Target Audiences:

Treasure Hunt (Children & Families):

Powered by the PCSS Viewer, this module provides a gamified exploration of the 3D ruin model using sequential hotspots to reveal historical images and facts.

Time Travel (Adults & Researchers):

Powered by the 4D Browser, this module offers interactive chronological navigation across seven historical eras (1349–2024), linking 3D reconstructions with primary source maps, charters, and photographs.

Hidden Interior (General Public):

Utilizes the PCSS Viewer to grant virtual access to the preserved tower interior, allowing users to toggle between 360° contemporary panoramas and c. 1500 3D reconstructions showing structural decay over time.

Results & Implementation

Optimization & Performance:

High-density 3D models were compressed to fit within a strict 20 MB limit using Draco geometry and KTX2/Basis Universal texture compression, wrapped in a Vue 3 / Quasar PWA shell

Academic Integrity & Data:

Reconstructions follow an evidence-grading model (verified / reconstructed / hypothetical). Assets are documented with CIDOC-CRM aligned JSON-LD metadata and licensed under CC BY-NC

Multilingual & Accessible:

Available in German, English, Polish, and Czech, compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards, and built with privacy-first analytics (no third-party trackers).

Reach & Community Impact

Audience Metrics:

OVer 850 online users by attracting 876 unique web visitors across nine countries, plus 120 on-site QR entries. Including community launches and school workshops, the project reached over 1,200 total participants.

Local Engagement:

The initial primary school workshops directly prompted a whole-class ruin excursion and the creation of a dedicated school history group (Chronik-/Sachkunde-AG) to sustain community involvement long-term.

Resources

The Ruppendorf Time Machine - Live application