Archeogaming and Archeology: in the Classroom · Archeogaming and Archeology: The Potential of...
32
Transcript of Archeogaming and Archeology: in the Classroom · Archeogaming and Archeology: The Potential of...
Archeogaming and Archeology:
The Potential of Video Games
in the Classroom
Scott Gallimore
Dept. of Archaeology & Classical Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Archaeogaming
The archaeology
of and in video
games
Archaeogaming
Archaeogaming presents an opportunity to
challenge, develop, and critique archaeological
methods, ethics, and practice.
Archaeogaming
Clearest connection
between archaeology
and video games came
during excavation of the
fabled Atari graveyard at
Alamogordo, New
Mexico in 2014
Excavating Atari
Excavating Atari
This excavation shows
the potential for public
engagement with
archaeology when
interest is high
Excavating Atari
How can
video
games
help us to
redefine
the term
“artifact”?
Video Games as Artifacts
The Alamogorodo excavations provided a means of
investigating aspects of western, capitalist society
Archaeology of Late Capitalism
The Capitalism of Late Archaeology
3-D Reconstruction
Augustan Rome Project, UCLA (2013 – Present)
Video games and virtual reconstruction
Assassin’s Creed and 3-D Reconstruction
In game,
Colosseum
is round
rather than
elliptical
Assassin’s Creed and 3-D Reconstruction
Astronauts, after
finding themselves on
an alien world, begin
excavating to learn
more about
civilization and to find
a way home
LucasArts –The Dig
Enabled user
creation in a
virtual world that
included
recreation of
ancient cities
Second Life
Two players
purchased space
and advertised
property as a
dump
Players could
discard
unwanted items
Second Life
Second Life
MineCraft
has become
an
increasingly
popular
education
tool
MineCraft
Antonine Wall constructed in Britain in AD 142
MineCraft
Watling Lodge –
Roman fort
constructed
along Antonine
Wall undergoing
archaeological
investigation
MineCraft
World Heritage Day,
2015, project created
virtual fort using
MineCraft and buried
it
Visitors could view
excavation of actual
remains and take part
in excavation of
MineCraft version
MineCraft
Project of Hull
History Centre and
University of Hull
(UK) using MineCraft
Attempting to
demonstrate
practical method for
engaging students
with archival material
HullCraft
Goal was
recreation of
historical
structures in
MineCraft
based on
information
available in
archives
HullCraft
Process begins in MineCraft version of Hull History
Centre
HullCraft
What is the feasibility of incorporating a
project like HullCraft into a university
classroom?
e.g. Asking students to develop
reconstructions of Roman buildings based
on excavation data.
Video Games in the Classroom
Challenges:
Would students be required to own MineCraft?
What if students had insufficient computer resources?
Would MineCraft need to be accessible on university computers?
Video Games in the Classroom
Video Games in the Classroom
Challenges:
Would IT provide support for
this type of activity?
Would the university support
asking students to purchase
video games in lieu of
textbooks?
MIT, 1961 PDP-1 mainframe computer
Spacewar
Archeogaming and Archeology:
The Potential of Video Games
in the Classroom
Scott Gallimore
