Edinburgh: 200 years of heritage through image-based virtual environments

Abstract

Heritage is an important application of virtual environments. The key role of virtual environments in this sector is to provide a spatial context for historical records, artifacts and places. This spatial context makes the material more readily understandable by the public and provides a useful framework for teaching and research. Furthermore, the delivery of such material over the Internet turns heritage itself into a virtual commodity with all the associated economic advantages. Freed from physical and geographical constraints the material can be made available to a much wider audience at remote locations.