Space and time scaling issues in data management: the virtual restitution of Cluniac heritage

Abstract

Recent research projects led in Cluny have focused on interoperability issues between computer-aided design (CAD) and geographic information system (GIS). In one of these projects, the Gunzo project went through a complete digital restitution of what was the largest church in the world during five centuries. In another project, a 3D GIS of the Cluny region was set up and led to the idea of designing an online historical and archaeological 3D database. This involves the development of time-based 3D data management functionalities in which both CAD and GIS could exchange information. Thanks to the close collaboration between interdisciplinary fields, the team managed to formulate the basis of a joint workflow. These steps are promising and could meet in the future this long-time dream of the scientific community: to be able to tie together CAD and GIS models with temporality on a single georeferenced collaborative platform, so closely that it will be possible to navigate through the history of a city in 3D.