Page 74 - JCAU-6-1

Journal of Chinese

Architecture and Urbanism

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Digital twin applications in an archaeological

site: A virtual reconstruction of the Pishan site,
Zhejiang, China

1
1
1
Wanqin Liu *, Man Lu *, Yuqin Chen , and Kaikai Yan 2
1 College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
2 Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advanced Technologies and Practices in Built Environment
and Cultural Heritage)

Abstract
A digital twin is a virtual counterpart of a physical object or system based on precise
data collection. Although digital twin applications are gaining traction in the virtual
reconstruction of built heritage, their relevance in archaeological sites remains
limited, especially for those with only foundations. The Pishan (毘山) site in Huzhou,
featuring the remains of a high-platform building and a large stilt-style architecture,
represents the largest settlement site from the late Shang (商, ca. 1600 – 1046 BCE)
and early Western Zhou (西周, 1046 – 771 BCE) dynasties in Zhejiang Province,
*Corresponding authors: China. At present, confronting contradictions among preservation, restoration, and
Wanqin Liu
(wanqin.liu@outlook.com) reuse as a heritage park, the site leverages digital twin technologies to address two
Man Lu concerns: (i) reconstructing a 3D scene for further restoration and related studies
(mmmm0526@hhu.edu.cn) and (ii) integrating multimedia to enhance visitors’ experiences and dissemination.
Citation: Liu, W., Lu, M., Chen, Y. Photogrammetry, unmanned aerial vehicle, and a mirrorless camera are employed
& Yan, K. (2024). Digital twin to collect sky and ground dual graphic data and reconstruct the 3D model of the
applications in an archaeological loess terrace. A panoramic roaming environment is created through panoramic
site: A virtual reconstruction of
the Pishan site, Zhejiang, China. photography. Geographic information system is integrated to enable visual analysis
Journal of Chinese Architecture and and information management while building information modeling facilitates
Urbanism, 6(1), 1735. the integration of parametric modeling and point cloud, aiding virtual restoration
https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1735
research. In conclusion, a workflow entitled “Virtual Reconstruction – Management
Received: August 31, 2023 and Analysis – Restoration – Exhibition” is proposed, promising in-depth exploration
Accepted: November 1, 2023 in further studies.
Published Online: February 19, 2024
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). Keywords: Digital twin; Virtual reconstruction; Restoration; Photogrammetry; Panoramic
This is an open-access article photography; Archaeological site
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution-
Non-Commercial 4.0 International
(CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits all
non-commercial use, distribution, 1. Introduction
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is The concept of digital twin, as proposed by Grieves and Vickers (2017), encompasses
properly cited. real space, virtual space, links for data flow from real space to virtual space, links for
Publisher’s Note: AccScience information flow from virtual space to real space, and virtual sub-spaces. Its primary
Publishing remains neutral with objective is to enhance product lifecycle management. In essence, the digital twin
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional serves as a virtual counterpart of a physical object or system, relying on precise data
affiliations. collection through simulations, sensors, graphic documentation, and machine learning.

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1735