This article will begin by presenting a brief background to the study of archaeological landscapes and identify one of the problems associated with these studies: how we can create visual representations of landscapes. A case study will then be presented, focusing on the Neolithic chambered cairns of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, UK, and their relationship with the surrounding landscape. This is intended to complement the results of a broader survey (Cummings, Henley and Sharples forthcoming), which integrates with a wider research programme in this area. Finally, the representation of the landscape using QTVR (QuickTime Virtual Reality) images will be examined. These can be created and displayed on the Internet, offering a rapid and inexpensive alternative to the traditional visual media that often illustrate landscape discussion. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach will be discussed, and some possibilities for the future outlined.
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URL: http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue8/cummings/intro.html
Last updated: Tue Aug 8 2000