Perceptual images of Conimbriga using High Dynamic Range

It is widely recognized that new technologies can play an important role in the interpretation of our cultural heritage legacy. This has become a powerful tool providing a better understanding of our past, and thereby, allowing us to attain a glimpse of the environments in which our ancestors lived. In this domain, the way we see such reconstructed environments is particularly important in order to establish an accurate interpretation of that historical setting. However, the desired visual accuracy in the representation of any archaeological scenario is strictly related to the technology used to visualize it. High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology encompasses the capacity to produce visual results similar to the visual acuity of the human eye, particularly in extreme lighting conditions, such as bright light or dim environments. In this paper we present an ancient flame light simulation method and a perceptual visual user study with HDR images of Roman mosaics and frescoes, illuminated by luminaries of that period, located in one of the most impressive monuments in the ruins of Conimbriga, Portugal. With this work we intend to demonstrate how the use of this particular low intensity Roman light, when compared to other modern illumination, affects the subjects' perception of ancient artefacts and influences the scenario viewing pattern. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.