UC Santa Cruz

National Endowment for the Humanities White Paper GIS, a major data organization tool in archaeology, places information within a two-dimensional geospatial framework linked to locations on the Earth's surface. Human lives are not lived, however, on a flat surface, but are embedded in a three-dimensional world. The addition of a third coordinate, elevation or height allows us to replace layers of complexity when working with cultural data. Change over time (the forth dimension) is a fundamental aspect of human life and crucial to understanding human experience in the past. 3D Saqqara offers a 4D study of an ancient site across space and time. By simulating the changing built and natural landscape, the project explores the visual environment that shaped the experiences and choices of past peoples. Through the recreation of lines-of-sight between important cult places, the project traces how decisions over time change the meaning of these spaces and altered ancient peoples' perception of the ritual landscape.