ABSTRACT
Within the last decade we have developed a new digital graphic instrument for knowledge mediation and knowledge development of archaeological hypotheses concerning architectural topoi. The key feature of archaeological hypotheses is the varying degree of certainty ranging from undoubtful findings over most probably deductions to vague yet scientifically based assumptions. For illustrations, the discipline of archaeology has set up a number of analogue, two dimensional drawing techniques, that represent the range of certainty, but also three dimensional diagrams preferably with color-shaded volumetric elements. Drawn perspectives provide spatial impression. Our method consists of the two complementary parts Virtual Modeling and Virtual Photography. Other than usual, we do not consider the spatial model as the decisive key in mediating archaeology but only as an integral part of the visual mediation. Instead, we consider its counter part, the virtual photography, the re-translation of three dimensional data into visually perceivable information, as at least equally important.
