Viking Walks by Science Communication Lab

Video documentation: https://vimeo.com/751860865

How did people live in the 8th century? In an impressive way, users of the interactive application "Viking Walks" embark on a digital tour of Hedeby and Danevirke. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Germany is a 26 km long archaeological monument that is difficult to experience in reality due to its sheer size and partial destruction. Using a dataset of over 400 million points from a lidar scan, as well as various georeferenced archaeological data, topographic data and 3D models of reconstructions, we were able to bring this historically significant site to life digitally.

Under the tagline #vikingwalks, users discover the ways of the Vikings, their tools and weapons, and other archaeological finds excavated in the Hedeby and Danevirke World Heritage Site. They also have the opportunity to retrace the historical stages of the mighty defensive wall of Danevirke and admire Waldemar's Wall in its original state. 3D reconstructions of the former trading post and various sections of the rampart can be superimposed on the current state, creating a link between then and now.

The Hedeby trading post and the Danevirke defense system secured the border area between Scandinavia and the European mainland at the narrowest point between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. This special location enabled intensive trade and exchange between the regions. The more than 100 km long stretch between the seas can now be flown over digitally in the footsteps of the Vikings.

The "Viking Walks" application can be used in a variety of ways. On the one hand, it conveys the historical significance and the special location of Hedeby and Danevirke to tourists, interested laymen and for educational purposes. On the other hand, professionals can use the application with its modular structure for planning, management and communication.

In summary, the goal of the application is to use data and visualizations to make an extraordinary testimony of the Viking Age, which is difficult to experience in reality, digitally accessible in an appealing way.