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AUGMENTED REALITY FOR INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES IN VISUALISING ARCHAEOLOGY ARTIFACTS AND ECOFACTS THROUGH SMART DEVICES: PERAK MAN AS A STUDY

ID NO : IMAX 2026: ARVR-003

PRODUCTION NAME : PERAK MAN

NAME : NUR ANIYAH BINTI ANUAR

AFFILIATIONS : UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

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INTRODUCTION / PROBLEM STATEMENT

The field of archaeology works with fragile and easily broken artifacts and ecofacts everyday. Due to this, access to actual artifacts are very limited, thus preventing a more intimate observation and understanding, whether it is during fieldwork or classroom education. By introducing the use of AR within the archaeology field for better understanding of artifacts. This technology helps with understanding history in a more detailed manner by piecing together a historical object and its context by experimenting to make it accessible via phone softwares. This technology will help with the current progress of excavation and data analysis of artifacts. Peter J. Cobb (2023).

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TARGET AUDIENCE & APPLICATION

  • General Public & Museum Visitors: Everyday visitors and heritage enthusiasts seeking more dynamic, immersive ways to connect with history beyond static display cases.
  • Students & Younger Demographics: Tech-savvy learners who respond strongly to digital media, mobile interactivity, and gamified or visually rich educational content.
  • Academic & Scientific Communities: Researchers, bioarchaeologists, and educators who require an accurate, non-invasive digital medium to examine complex anatomical structures and archaeological data.
  • Cultural Heritage Institutions: Museums, galleries, and preservation agencies looking for scalable tools to modernize exhibitions and broaden public outreach.

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PRODUCTION WORKFLOW / PROTOTYPE STAGE / DESIGN PROCESS

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CREATIVE CONCEPT & GAP

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CREATIVE CONCEPT & GAP

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CREATIVE CONCEPT & GAP

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TECHNOLOGY CONTRIBUTIONS / TOOLS USED

  • Asset Creation & 3D Modeling (Feather 3D): Utilized for intuitive 3D sketching and drafting. Feather 3D served as the primary space-design tool to translate complex, fragile skeletal structures and archaeological profiles into dynamic digital models without risking physical damage.�Feather Documentation
  • Augmented Reality Prototyping & Deployment (ZapWorks): Employed as the core WebAR/AR development and publishing platform. ZapWorks facilitated the integration of 3D assets into interactive, browser-accessible environments, allowing users to experience spatial burial contexts and anatomical details seamlessly via smart devices.�zap.works
  • Framework Integration: Combined spatial drawing workflows with computer vision authoring to build a non-invasive cognitive bridge, ensuring high accessibility and engagement for museum and educational applications.

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VISUAL OUTPUT / USER EXPERIENCE

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NOVELTY & INTENTIVENESS

  • Non-Invasive Bioarchaeological Visualization: Introduces a novel method for exploring fragile skeletal remains like the Perak Man through interactive 3D digital twins, eliminating physical handling risks while maintaining anatomical accuracy.
  • Cognitive Bridge Framework: Solves the traditional "awareness gap" in heritage dissemination by translating complex scientific and spatial burial data into intuitive, narrative-driven digital formats optimized for mobile devices.
  • Accessible WebAR Integration: Leverages browser-based WebAR via ZapWorks paired with Feather 3D modeling, bypassing the friction of dedicated app downloads to instantly connect everyday museum visitors and students with advanced archaeological data.

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INDUSTRY / MARKET POTENTIAL

  • EdTech & Digital Heritage Sector: Positions itself within the rapidly growing digital museum and educational technology markets, addressing the global demand for immersive, hybrid learning tools.
  • Cultural Tourism & Museum Modernization: Offers museums and heritage sites a scalable, cost-effective solution to upgrade static exhibitions, attract tech-savvy younger demographics, and increase visitor retention.
  • Non-Invasive Archiving & Research: Opens commercial and institutional avenues for digital preservation, allowing cultural agencies to share sensitive bioarchaeological data globally without compromising physical asset safety.
  • Low-Barrier Commercial Scalability: Utilizes browser-based WebAR infrastructure, eliminating high hardware costs or mandatory app store downloads, making it commercially viable for regional museums and educational institutions with limited budgets.

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OUR TEAM

Head of Project : Nur Aniyah Anuar

Assistance : Nixander Petrus Jau Nixon

Supervisor : Dr. Norfarizah Mohd. Bakhir

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THANK YOU