Illuminating the Past using High Dynamic Range

It is widely accepted that new technologies can play an important role in the interpretation of our cultural heritage legacy. This has become a powerful tool to better understand our past, and to attain a glimpse of the environments in which our ancestors lived. In this domain, the way we see such reconstructed environments is particularly important to establish an accurate interpretation of that historical setting. However, the desired visual accuracy in the representation of any archaeological scenario is strictly related to the technology used to visualize it. High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology encompasses the capacity to produce visual results similar to the visual acuity of the human eye. This book presents an ancient flame light simulation method and a perceptual visual user study with HDR images of Roman mosaics and frescoes, illuminated by luminaries of that period, located in one of the most impressive monuments in the ruins of Conimbriga, Portugal. This work demonstrates how the use of this particular low intensity Roman light, when compared to other modern illumination, affects the subjects’ perception of ancient artifacts and influences the scenario viewing pattern.