TEOTIHUACAN PROYECT

“ELABORATION OF RECONSTRUCTIVE

THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS IN A VIRTUAL REALITY FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONES OF MEXICO”

TEOTIHUACAN PROYECT

Signing of Collaboration Agreement

between INAH and UNAM.

The National University Autonomous of Mexico, through the School of Higher Studies Aragon and the National Institute of Anthropology and History, signed a cooperation agreement on October 18, 2007 in the Hall Siqueiros National History Museum, whose object was reconstruct the most important archeological sites in Mexico with thre-dimensional models in virtual reality, starting with the archaeological site of Teotihuacan.

The resulting models are intended, be an important support material for research, teaching, and in a final step, that the general public knows about the real aspect of archeological sites in Mexico including some of which there is no access now, because to date are in the process of excavation.

As a second step, has been initiated with the publication of the project, taking into account again research behind it, for which, they prepare a serie of short videos of each of the sites developed to be visited on the Internet, printed publication sized 17" x 22", interactive CD to access PC and a DVD, which includes scenes filmed on site interspersed with reconstructive three- dimensional videos, every moment with real time descriptions.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROJECT

For the development of the reconstruction project, are involved the next instances:

·       By the UNAM:

- Division of Humanities and Arts

- Headship of Academic Section of the Division of Humanities and Arts

·       Coordinated area by the UNAM.

- Headship of the Career of Industrial Design

- Headship of the Career of Architecture

·      The next specialists participated:

Dr. Jesús Escamilla Salazar

Dr. Roberto Pliego Martínez

I. D. Irán Flores Oviedo

I. D. Octavio Augusto Quiroz

I. D. Javier García Figueroa

Architect David I. Yáñez Guerra

·       Also the next pupils, social service providers:

-Dulce Ma. Pegueros Carrasco

-José Guadalupe Bermúdez Rodríguez

-Cesar Alejandro Mellado Schiaffini

-Edgar Alfonso García Sánchez

-Maricel Obando Isabel Urbina

-Oscar Hernández Gutiérrez

-Jorge Alberto Lopez Lara

·       By the INAH:

- National Coordination of Archaeology

-Area that coordinate the project by the INAH.

- Directorate of Public Registry of Monuments and Archaeological Sites

- Direccion of Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacan

- Direccion of Physical Anthropology

·       Considering the next specialists:

Archaeologist. Ignacio García Rodríguez

Archaeologist. Noel García Morelos

Physical Anthrop. Luís Alfonso González Miranda

Archaeologist. Rubén Cabrera Castro

Archaeologist. Sergio Gómez Chávez

Dr. Jorge Angulo Villaseñor

METHODOLOGY PROCESS

AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The methodology for the elaboration of the project was defined as follows:

- Selection of specialists for both institutions

- Definition of the topic to be developed:

- Architectural structures

- Ceramics

- Burials

- Subsequently determined reconstruction in computer systems Tetitla mural painting and  photographic footage of remates found during excavations in Quetzalpapalotl, Set Square   West and Ventilla for three-dimensional reconstruction.

- Selection of architectural sites

- Exploration and definition of information

- Visits to the site to verify the information and photographic footage

- Visits always under the guidance of INAH specialists

 - Development of reconstructive models

- Review of material produced and amendments thereto

Implementation of pilot testing by:

1. - Sessions projection in virtual room Ixtli of the DGSCA of UNAM.

2. - Classroom sessions of School of Higher Studies Aragon

3. - Conferences

4. - Exhibitions

- Evaluation of the pilot testing and optimization of the models developed

- Depuration of the material elaborated

- Final Delivery

The basic information for the development of the models was provided by the INAH, as floorplans and research conducted, supported and published by the Institute, which is why it is totally reliable and has official status.

The next areas were selected for reconstruction in virtual reality:

- The Pyramid of the Moon

- The Pyramid of the Sun

- The Quetzalpapalotl

- The Temple of the Feathered Shells

- The Temple of the Jaguars and Patio

- The Set Square West

- The Citadel

- The Ventilla

- Atetelco

- Tetitla

- Zacuala

Hypothetical reconstruction of Temple of the Feathered Shells

Hypothetical reconstruction of

Temple of the Feathered Shells

Models included: architectural structures, pottery and burial, all of them found in excavations carried out by national and international researchers. It also was included the reconstruction of architectural building systems employees, finishes on walls, floors, slabs, finials, architectural cuts, construction details and in some cases mural painting.

Model reconstructive burial

found at the Citadel

Exhibition material was designed, including reconstructed structures, burial and ceramic, in a total of 40 sheets of presentation in dimensions of 90 x 60 cms.

The end result: were drawn type 626 DWG files, 3DSMAX, WRL, AVI and JPEG.

Sheet presentation of neighborhood of Ventilla

(Material prepared for exhibitions)

PARALLEL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED

During December 2008 to January 2009, was held a presentation of the progress of the project in the ex museum site of the archeological zone of Teotihuacan, which was filed material, product of the Convention signed and derivative works thereof which were elaborated in classrooms of Architecture and Industrial Design:

Stock material presented during the exhibition

in the ex museum site of the archeological zone of Teotihuacan

To date, they have have been given, 17 conferences on the next places:

- School of Higher Studies Aragon, UNAM.

- School of Higher Studies Acatlan, UNAM.

- Intercontinental University

- University of Valley of Mexico, Tlalpan Campus

- National School of Anthropology and History

- College of Architects of Mexico City

- National Museum of Anthropology and History

- Center for Studies in Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone.

- Anthropological Research Institute of the UNAM.

- Major Temple Museum.

- University of the Americas, Puebla

- House of Culture "Heberto Castillo"

The project was presented in framework of lectures on Teotihuacan and lectures on the historical heritage of Mexico, held in July 2009 at the National Museum of Anthropology, as well in the Major Temple Museum, in the framework of the VI Permanent Conferences of Archaeology.

They have conducted interviews to the media on television, radio, print and Internet, as well as the news organ of the Ministry of Interior on the Internet.

They have conducted 8 presentations in the virtual room Ixtli of the DGSCA (General Directorate of Academic Computing Services), aimed at officials, researchers, students and teachers.

The lectures presented are comprised of three general themes:

- The virtual reconstruction process from a technological point of view.

- Description of each site reconstructed, including mural painting

- Description of the burials discovered in the Citadel

Some of the conferences at the request of the authorities that who need it have been supplemented by guided tours of the excavation areas of the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, spaces where there is no public access.

Also, they have conducted more than 10 presentations in class aimed at students in Architecture, mainly courses aimed at Mexican architecture.

On the other hand, there have been academic activities from the project for the benefit of the undergraduate participants, as architectural, industrial design, professional dissertation, visits to areas of archaeological research and other activities.

2ND PROJECT STAGE TEOTIHUACAN

 2nd. STAGE PROJECT

PUBLICATION OF THE WORK

                       

Based on the guidelines of the signed for the reconstruction of the archaeological sites of Mexico and specifically the reconstruction of the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, has been initiated with the publication of this work, which will be directed to all kind of audience.

The material that has been prepared is divided into three major categories:

• Material for Internet.

-          Short videos of each of the sites developed in the project

-          Short videos of the reconstructed burials

• Printed material

- Printed publication sized 17" x 22" with descriptions and pictures of the three-dimensional reconstructions elaborated.

• Interactive Material

- A CD with descriptions and animations of models reconstructed for review on PC.

• A DVD video

- That includes site recordings interspersed with threedimensional tours dimensional interspersed where can be appreciate the current state and the hypotheses of the original state of the archaeological zone, considering descriptions made with voice in real time.

Moreover, within the framework of reconstruction of the archaeological sites of Mexico, has begun with the three-dimensional reconstruction in virtual reality of the Archaeological Zone of Xochicalco.

THE VIRTUAL RECONSTRUCTION OF TEOTIHUACAN

Plan of the publication work

General coordination

• Roberto Pliego Martinez

  FES Aragon / UNAM

• Ignacio García Rodríguez

  Direction of Archaeological Studies / INAH

• Luis Alfonso Gonzalez Miranda

  Directorate of Physical Anthropology / INAH

• D. I. Octavio Augusto Quiroz

• D. I. Javier Garcia Figueroa

• D. I. Iran Flores Oviedo

  Professors of Industrial Design of the FES Aragon, UNAM

Proposal

Between August 2007 and June 2009 was developed the first part of the work stipulated in the Convention of Collaboration between the School of Higher Studies Aragon and the National Institute of Anthropology and History: Virtual reconstruction of archaeological sites in Mexico. Teotihuacan specific case, consisted in the elaboration of more than 600 electronic files virtual reconstructions of several architectural units, burials and Teotihuacan ceramic objects.

According to the Convention, the informatics labors to create the files was provided by staff FES Aragon, based on the information and advice provided by INAH staff.

To continue with the stipulations of the Agreement, now proposes the development of a book and a disc with still images and video (DVD) so that they contain some of the files mentioned, - accompanied by explanatory texts - to account for the results of the work and offer our proposals about how should be the Teotihuacan architectural units in its time of splendor, including reconstruction of murals. Also, reconstructions and texts are included on some burial systems in Teotihuacan age, to present some of the mortuary customs of that society we also present images of ceramic objects, to show some utensils that were used at the time, and some aspects of the Teotihuacan plastic conception expressed in ceramics.

The proposed book is large format (double letter: 10⁵⁄₈in x 16¹⁷⁄₃₂in) in order to show the quality of images produced in color, and allow the reader to appreciate the details of them. For its part, the disc will contain files with virtual tours, short movies, some still images and written and narrated texts that accompany the images and complement the book's text.

Justification

Of course, the objective of the Convention was to apply computer technology to the reconstruction of Teotihuacan to see how they could see the buildings that made up the city with the graphic idea that computer images gives, the general public will have a better perception of what was the city of Teotihuacan, beyond observing the ruins and bare stone walls that form the archaeological site. This improved perception is the ultimate goal that aims to achieve the Convention, for that local and foreign population can know adequately some aspects of Teotihuacan and, through this knowledge, you can better appreciate the cultural heritage of the nation, awareness, and thereby participate in protection and dissemination.

Moreover, the work of making files was a fruitful interdisciplinary and inter-institutional meeting, in which two entities engaged in research, teaching and dissemination of culture, and wills joined forces to produce a result that will have a beneficial impact on knowledge of the archaeological of Mexico. Interdisciplinary, the project proved enriching for students of architecture, graphic design and pedagogy of FES Aragon, while for archaeologists and physical anthropologists from INAH was a pleasant exercise where it was necessary to put in clear terms the ideas and hypotheses that currently have about Teotihuacan.

The experience gained in this work will be well used by students of the FES Aragon and the National School of Anthropology and History, and definitely a solid foundation to the use of information technologies in the description, interpretation and dissemination of heritage archaeological. It should be noted that the case of Teotihuacan is the first of this collaboration, and that Convention expected to its application to other archaeological sites, at the time, there is a possibility that under the same Agreement becomes similar work in Tula, Hidalgo And we can't ignore the fact that, for graduates of the FES Aragon, the applying their school readiness to anthropological issues expands their area of work and enable them to better job prospects.

Book structure

Below are some clauses that will be addressed in developing the book, with some annotations that are indicated for the better realization.

1. PREAMBLE

a. Background to the original idea of architect Roberto Pliego

b. The agreement: scope, obligations, clauses.

c. Participating teachers, counselors, students, lecturers.

d. The problem of interdisciplinarity: different professional languages​​, the need for introductory courses.

e. Recipients of the work: the general public, students of anthropology, professional anthropologists, students of architecture and industrial design.

f. Credits: institutions and agencies, teachers and students of FES Aragon, introductory course instructors, advisers.

2. INTRODUCTION

a. The FES Aragon

- Teaching and research

- The Division of Humanities and Arts

- Architecture Career

- The Industrial Design Career

b. The National Institute of Anthropology and History

- Research, conservation, broadcasting and teaching

- Cultural patrimony and national identity

- Anthropology and History

- Archaeology and Physical Anthropology

- The archaeological zones

3. TEOTIHUACAN

a. Historical and anthropological general view, nationally and globally TIMELINE.

-  Realization of periods of the pre-Hispanic period of Mexico

- Crucible and source of cultural traditions

b. Panorama urban and architectural

- Planning and development of the city

- Facing astronomical

- Trazo orthogonal

- Epochs constructive

- Construction systems

c. The mural

- Flattened and stuccoed

- Symbolic content

- Iconography

d. Burial systems

- The population

- Burial Customs

- Systems burial

- Processes taxonomic

- Offerings

- Architectural Association

- Glossary

- Elaboration of computer files (text by the teachers: Oviedo and Quiroz)

e. The ceramics

- Forms and general functions

- Ceramic and accruals

- Ceremonial and domestic ceramics

- The ceramic as plastic resource

- Architectural Association

- Elaboration of computer files (text by the teachers: Oviedo and Quiroz)

4. ARCHITECTURAL UNITS

a. Elaboration of computer files (text by Arch. Pliego)

b. Pyramid of the Sun (burials)

c. Pyramid of the Moon with its square (burials)

d. Zacuala (mural)

e. West Square Set (building systems, ceramics and burials)

f. Quetzalpapalotl Area (mural painting, burials)

- The Palace of Quetzalpapalotl

- Feathered Snails

- Patio of the Jaguars

g. The Citadel (burials)

- Temple of the Feathered Serpent

- Set C

- Set attached to D

- Set E

h. The Ventilla (burials, wall painting)

- The concept of neighborhood

- Three stages of construction

i. Tetitla (mural painting)

- Five stages of construction

5. CONCLUSIONS

a. The importance of the conservation and diffusion of Teotihuacan to national identity

- The importance of the study of history to consolidate national identity

- The importance of history in textbooks for children and youth

b. Project Contributions

- Problems and solutions identified

- Images made ​​based on the best current hypotheses

- Virtual reconstructions performed with maximum detail based on plans excavations by physical anthropologists and archaeologists

- Images created with timely advice from Teotihuacan researchers.

- New job options for architects and industrial designers.

- Using information technology to improve the teaching of physical anthropology and archeology.

- Using computer technology to evaluate working hypothesis in the interpretation of archaeological sites.

DVD disc structure

It is noteworthy that the disk structure is subject to development and specific contents of the book, in order to present material that complements the information in this. Of course, virtual tours and interactive images will form the core of the DVD. In general architectural units are presented based on the sequence of the book, uniforming information of each unit according to the next scheme:

1. Location in the Archaeological Zone

2. Probable function

3. Temporality

4. Architectural Plans

5. Facades

6. Perspectives

8. Burials

- Type and class

- Position

- Features taxonomic

- Offering

9. Mural Painting

10. Ceramics

11. Videos (where appropriate)

Each image will take your respective footpage, and in the case of the videos will include a brief narrative voice by the specialist, which may or may not come out in inset.

Complementary activities

It intends to establish a web page that shows the products of the Agreement and the progress in the development of the work. This page will serve as a means of linkage to spread the experience of our work, and to receive comments and suggestions from people interested in similar projects. Of emphasis will be the communication with students and teachers of physical anthropology, industrial design, architecture and archeology.

Also, continue presenting lectures to interested public and to grant media interviews.