3D Virtual Tour Example (Part 2): Storytelling Tools in the Tomb of Queen Meresankh

Our exploration of 3D storytelling platforms continues with the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III, a Mused.com production. In Part 1 of this series, we provided an orientation to the story framework and covered the first of four storytelling tools: hot spots. 

In today’s post, we turn our attention to the remaining three tools that make this digital reconstruction so compelling: links to additional points of interest, the incorporation of archival materials, and dollhouse or floor plan views with measurement features.

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 a portion of the tomb wall with hieroglyphs. On the bottom right of the screen is a brief explanation of the people, animals, or activities depicted. At the bottom-middle is the ability to move to the next portion of the tour or to visit a previous portion of the tour. This particular point of interest provides a link to an additional resource outside of the 3D online exhibit setting.  

Tool: Link to Additional Points of Interest

The tour incorporates links to additional resources or points of interest. In this example, there’s a link to an external article on scholarly work surrounding Meresankh as a historical figure. 

A still from the exhibit “Tomb of Queen Meresankh III.” Source: Mused, https://mused.com/guided/4/tomb-of-queen-meresankh-iii-g-7530-7540/. On the left side of this image there is the usual descriptive text to accompany the point of interest and a link to view a resource specific to the artifacts found in the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III. Above the descriptive text is a small black and white photograph of the same visual area taken during the excavation of Queen Meresankh’s tomb.  

This juxtaposition between past documentation and present-day visualization adds historical depth, helping visitors place the 3D experience in a real-world archaeological context. 

Tool: Incorporation of Materials from the Archives

As the 3D setting for this story is an archaeological site uncovered almost 100 years ago, there are black and white photographs along with other archival materials that document the excavations. Included in this example is a black and white photograph of the same 3D-rendered chamber still filled with debris—prior to the completion of the 20th century excavation. Archival materials add a layer of rich contextual information. In this scene we’re not only learning about Meresankh, but also the excavation of her tomb in 1927.  

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 landing page image for the Tomb of Queen Meresankh III online exhibit. 

Tool: Floor Plan or “Dollhouse” Views (With Measurement Features)

In addition to 3D exploration, visitors can switch to Dollhouse mode and View Floor Plan view using the buttons at the bottom left of the screen. Dollhouse mode allows the audience to see the connection of the tombs chambers as well as overall shape of the space. Floor Plan view offers a similar visual aid for understanding the shape of the space and offers different contextual clues for archaeologists and related subject-matter scholars.   

A third icon enables a measurement tool that allows users to calculate dimensions within the 3D environment. Because the rendering is true to scale, this feature supports more precise study of the tomb’s spatial characteristics. 

The Beauty of Museum 3D and Virtual Tours

The variety of ways an audience can explore Queen Meresankh’s tomb supports different brain types, as well as scholarly pursuit. The number of hot spots encourage exploration of the space without being too numerous. Additionally, the inclusion of the object list of artifacts found onsite, the use of archival materials, and the linking out to additional resources all work to provide layers of information you can pursue.   

Together, these storytelling tools demonstrate just how beautifully museum collections are suited to 3D virtual tour-driven storytelling.