In a corner of Palma's old town, a brass figure represents the legendary Drac de na Coca. This creature, which according to medieval tradition terrorized the city, turns out to be a real crocodile that lived in the sewers. This transition from urban myth to tangible heritage element is a perfect case for digital archaeology, where 3D technology acts as a bridge between oral narration and material preservation, allowing the documentation and analysis of layers of cultural history.
3D Documentation Techniques for Intangible Heritage 🗿
The documentation of this heritage begins with photogrammetry or laser scanning of the current brass figure, generating a precise and textured 3D model. In parallel, the historical topography of the neighborhood can be modeled and the medieval urban environment recreated. Integrating both elements in a virtual environment allows visualizing the evolution of the place and the legend. This digital reconstruction not only archives the current state but also enables simulating hypotheses, such as the animal's supposed burrow or its estimated size, enriching historical analysis with a layer of scientific and outreach interpretation.
Beyond the Model: Immersive Narrative 🕹️
The true value of this process transcends the mere digital replica. By contextualizing the model in a reconstructed environment, a powerful narrative tool is created. An interactive experience can be developed that guides the user through the legend, fusing archaeological data with the oral tale. Thus, 3D technology becomes an instrument to safeguard collective memory, giving digital form to the echoes of a past that still whispers in the city's corners.
How are photogrammetry and 3D modeling techniques integrated with historical research to validate and disseminate a heritage legend like that of the Drac de na Coca?
(P.S.: If you dig at a site and find a USB, don't plug it in: it could be Roman malware.)