3D Virtual Tour Example (Part 1): “Hot Spots” in the Tomb of Queen Meresankh

Step inside the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III through the lens of modern 3D storytelling. This two-part blog series begins with a look at how Mused.com uses virtual tools—including “hot spots”—to create an immersive narrative. Whether you’re a cultural heritage professional, educator, or simply curious about virtual exhibits, discover how digital platforms are transforming the way we engage with the past.  

3D Storytelling Example: The Tomb of Queen Meresankh III

We begin our exploration of 3D storytelling platforms with the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III, a Mused.com production. It’s one of the earlier examples, but still offers an array of tantalizing display and storytelling tools to review.   

This post is part one of two which will include an orientation to the story framework as well as an explanation of the first of four tools: hot spots. Next week, we’ll continue our coverage of the remaining three tools: link to additional points of interest, incorporation of materials from the archive, and doll house or floor plan views with measurement.  

Storytelling Infrastructure

There is a suggested linear pathway through; however, you can navigate to any place and in any order. As the story is not predicated on a linear pathway, it is one of multiple lanes. The virtual tour includes written and visual storytelling performance types and compelling visuals that help trigger sensory settings via lighting, color, and texture.   

• Online Exhibit: Tomb of Queen Meresankh (G 7530-7540)  
• Digital Publishing Platform: Mused  
• Story Path: Multiple Pathways (Guided option)  
• Storytelling Performance Types: Written, Visual  
• Sensory Setting: Lighting, Color, Texture  

Orientation

The landing page for this virtual tour shows a 3D rendered space with a menu across the top for language translations, the option to “free form” (move), and a menu with options associated with the main website. Within the 3D space, off-white circles on the floor can be seen. These circles indicate the hot spots or points of interest for the tour.  

 A still photo from “Explore the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III.” Source: Mused, https://mused.com/guided/4/tomb-of-queen-meresankh-iii-g-7530-7540/. This image displays the landing page image for the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III online exhibit.  

The “About” section offers an introduction to the topic and displays below items in the collection that were found at the archaeological site: Meresankh’s tomb.  

 A still photo from “Tomb of Queen Meresankh III.” Source: Mused, https://mused.com/guided/4/tomb-of-queen-meresankh-iii-g-7530-7540/. This image displays the “About” information for the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III online exhibit.  

Regardless of how the pathway is navigated (guided or free form), the display tools behave the same.   

 A still photo from “Tomb of Queen Meresankh III.” Source: Mused, https://mused.com/guided/4/tomb-of-queen-meresankh-iii-g-7530-7540/. This image depicts the hot spots for the tour points of interest. The hot spots are light-colored circles on the floor that the visitor can click on to navigate to the related point of interest.  

Interactive Storytelling Tool: Hot Spots

The virtual tour combines several tools for an engaging 3D display; the first of these is a familiar tool: hot spots. Hot spots in virtual tours are related to points of interest but are additionally anchored to specific locations within a 3D space. At a minimum, there’s interpretive text to introduce the point of interest. If attending the tour in guided mode, each hot spot will be visited in sequence. If viewing the tour in free form, the hot spots can be used to navigate and still trigger upon visiting that space within the 3D setting.  

Next Up: A Closer Look at the Tools Behind This Interactive 3D Exhibit

This week’s post touched on just one of the four tools you can engage with while exploring the Tomb of Queen Meresankh exhibit. Join us next week, where we will look at the remaining three tools used in the 3D exhibit: link to additional points of interest, incorporation of materials from the archive, and dollhouse or floor plan views with measurement.