Exploring the Depths with Simulation

The world has about 3 million historical, archaeological or artistic sites ready for exploration. The Department of Underwater and Undersea Archaeological Research (DRASSM) and Dassault Systèmes (DS) have teamed up to simulate and ensure the safe excavation of the fragile artifacts in Davey Jones’ locker.

With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE, archaeologists can simulate the expedition. Objects will be in the same position, thanks to 3D scans of the area, and archaeologists will be able to manipulate and test finds for excavation without risking the actual objects. This way the proper method of excavation can be determined ahead of time and performed the first time in real life.

The 3DEXPERIENCE simulation software creates a virtual excavation similar to a flight simulator. “This possibility of moving around the wreck regardless of circumstances, of working, recognizing the location of objects, planning how to remove them, and how to move them, is magnificent,” said team leader and DRASSM director, Michel L’Hour.

It is hoped that one day virtual reality and remote control will help archaeologists explore the depths without the need of a human pilot. In this set up, the archaeologist can "make any mistakes in the virtual world and not, as hitherto, in the real world" said Cédric Simard, Project Director at Dassault Systèmes.

To operate the simulation, Karim Guennoun of Dassault Systèmes created a device to operate the simulation and mimic the real world feel and conditions the driver might experience.

The first mission of this partnership is Louis XIV’s flagship: La Lune. The doomed voyage of the Lune took thousands of men with it off the coast of Toulon in 1664. In 1993, the wreckage was finally found under 90 metres of water, far below where any treasure hunter could scavenge back in the day.

Access to the site was banned for 20 years until current technology was able to access the wreckage directly. This depth allows for a perfect window into the past as bodies and objects remain relatively intact. Now we will be able to see a little better what life was like in the 17^th century, and recover this important relic of the world’s rich history.

Images and Source Courtesy of Operation Lune