Abstract

Virtual heritage environments provide researchers and the general public with a unique tool for exploring archaeological data in a dynamic and interactive fashion. This paper outlines recent attempts by the authors to construct a prototype 3D interactive computer model of an Inuvialuit sod house from the outer Mackenzie Delta area, using archaeological, ethnohistoric, and ethnographic data. Such computer models have the potential to provide significant insights into the design principles used in traditional Inuit architecture. They can also be integrated with 3D scans of cultural artifacts and other recorded media to create an interactive virtual heritage environment. In addition to providing an armature for collecting oral histories and traditional knowledge, these web-based virtual environments allow members of the general public to experience cultural sites in inaccessible areas like the Canadian arctic. This paper will focus on how the computer model was constructed, and presents examples of how it might be used both as a research and educational tool.