In a project that merged technology, storytelling, and cultural preservation, I created an XR experience centered on archaeological discovery and site interpretation, developed in collaboration with the Cincinnati Museum, experts in Ft. Ancient Culture, and a team of professors and graduate students from The Ohio State University. This immersive application brought ancient environments to life through interactive, educational experiences, allowing users to explore reconstructed historical sites, examine digital artifacts, and follow excavation narratives—all from within an extended reality environment. The project was designed to serve both academic researchers and the public, bridging scholarly insight with accessible engagement.
I worked closely with archaeologists, museum curators, cultural historians, and 3D artists to ensure the accuracy and cultural sensitivity of reconstructed environments and the placement of artifacts. Leveraging tools such as Unity, photogrammetry, and GIS data, I built a multi-layered XR experience that enabled users to move through time, observe stratigraphy and material layers, interact with tools and ceremonial objects, and hear stories unearthed from the excavation sites. The experience supported guided tours for museum installations and classrooms, as well as free-roam exploration to support personal discovery and learning. Much of the narrative content was shaped in collaboration with researchers focused on the Ft. Ancient Culture, bringing authenticity and depth to the experience.
This work highlighted XR’s unique power to preserve and reinterpret cultural memory, allowing users to engage with history in an emotionally resonant, spatially immersive way. It showcased my ability to blend rigorous academic research with compelling design and technical execution, while working across institutional and cultural boundaries. More than a visualization tool, the project became a portal into human history, emphasizing XR’s role in education, empathy, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
