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Lalibela - Bet Giorgis rock church

3D Visualizations offer a new, powerful way to show pre-colonial African heritage. Lalibela is a small village in northern Ethiopia, where, some 950 years ago, King Lalibela ordered the building of eleven churches (over a period of 24 years).

This example shows Bet Giorgis Church. The wonder of these churches lies not in that they are still used for prayer today; but because they were not actually built, but hewn (carved) out of rock – a feat of construction that is still not understood today.

Viking long house

Over a thousand years ago, the Vikings held court over much of northern Europe and the North Atlantic. Most Vikings lived in the country in Longhouses - usually comprising one large room. A central fire was the main source of light and heat in the hall. Wooden chests were used to store furs, blankets and other household goods.

Of interest, it is believed that the stone work in this (Swedish) example bears similarities to local African stonemasonry found at Mapungubwe, an archaeological site in South Africa that dates to the same time period.

Siquant Castel - Portugal

Take a virtual tour of this real Portuguese town and walk into the town but also make sure to take a visit to the castle on the hill. The system was developed for Seia Municipality to be part of the Interpretation Centre(CISE) for this important natural area (courtesy of SIQuant and INESC-ID who were responsible for developing the application development and Caixa D'Imagens was responsible for creating the 3D models).

Hold down your left mouse button to take a walk around the castle and into this historic village.

Ndebele village

In the autumn of 1883, the Ndebele people of South Africa went to war with the neighboring Boer farmers. The loss of the war brought on a harsh life and terrible punishments for the Ndebele and expressive symbols were used to express their grief. These symbols were the beginning of the African art style known as Ndebele house painting – standing for their continuity and cultural resistance to their current circumstances. The farmers didn’t understand the meaning and viewed it as cultural art that was not harmful, so it was allowed to continue. The wall paintings by the Ndebele women was their secret code to their people, disguised to anyone but the Ndebele themselves. Press the space-bar to take a tour of a typical Ndebele village.

Tutankhamun's mask

This mask of solid gold, beaten and burnished, was placed over the head and shoulders of Tutankhamun's mummy, outside the linen bandages in which the body was wrapped. It weighs about 24 pounds. Although it is difficult to judge how closely the face represents a true likeness of the king, it conveys something of the young king's appearance. Above his perfect golden cheeks, Tutankhamen has blue petals of lapis lazuli in imitation of the kohl make-up he would have worn in life; his symmetrical, neatly folded gold headdress is crowned with the cobra and vulture, symbols of Lower and Upper Egypt. With his false beard and god's repose he personifies Osiris, lord of the dead. Press the space-bar to enjoy his mask.