Virtual Avebury: exploring sense of place in a virtual archaeology simulation

A virtual reality simulation of Avebury Stone Circle and Henge, dating to circa 2300 BCE, revealed that believability significantly enhances the sense of place experienced by visitors. The study involved over 1200 public participants, who interacted with the simulation through exploration, sensory stimulation, and communication. Analysis of questionnaire data from 388 visitors showed that personal characteristics such as age, gender, or familiarity with technology had minimal impact on enjoyment or learning outcomes. This suggests that immersive simulations could broaden accessibility to heritage sites, appealing to diverse audiences regardless of demographic factors.

Falconer, L., Burden, D., Cleal, R., Hoyte, R., Phelps, P., Slawson, N., Snashall, N., & Welham, K. (2020). Virtual Avebury: exploring sense of place in a virtual archaeology simulation. Virtual Archaeology Review, 11(23), 50. https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2020.12924