Greece: Design, History and Representation

A reflection on my experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for Greece: Design, History and Representation, an undergraduate international study abroad program in Kefalonia, Greece.

Summer 2024

Historic sites like ancient burial tombs are at risk of destruction from natural disasters and unforeseen threats. Our work with the Ionion Center began at NC State, where students gathered as much information as possible from online sources and virtual guests. Students developed questions and project plans before arriving to the site.

We initially expected to photogrammetry a series of tombs as part of a preservation effort. When we arrived at the site, however, we discovered that it was wildly overgrown. With little insight as to what was contained within the tombs and the proper methods for entering the tombs, as well as language and cultural barriers, we pivoted to align our goals with the local community’s goals.

We limited our scope to a select few accessible tombs. We learned that local anthropologists and historians would best benefit from having tomb coordinates and a coherent and consistent naming system. Instead of a strictly photogrammetry-focused project, we presented final work that included: a community gallery, research findings, visualizations and a user interface design concept that could serve as a digital exhibit.

Host

Our host at the Ionion Center was the best part of the experience. She and her family were incredibly enthusiastic, gracious, accommodating and protective.

Culture

As a traveling vegan (at the time), I indulged in the freshness of Greek fruits and vegetables. I’m still thinking of the salads, olives, olive oil, grilled mushrooms, and our hostess’ home-cooked meals.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Given my interest in the digital humanities, as well as my aptitude for visualization, I was invited to join this study abroad experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. As my first study abroad trip, I gained deeper insight into conducting field work, living (temporarily) abroad, developing greater cultural sensitivity, learning to be agile, and working with students through it all.

As Teaching Assistant, I was responsible for supporting faculty in: student management, program implementation, and final presentation and hand-off to our host. I supported students in: project execution, project feedback, file management and organization, field work, and presentation preparation.

And I designed our t-shirts :)

Climate

Extremely hot though not humid like the Southeastern U.S. Our skin and tech equipment were burning. But the intensity of the sun made for the most vivid and vibrant plants.

Leisure

From exploring deep caves to old churches, climbing mountains to gift shopping, and sailing partway around Ithaca, my need for adventure was more than satisfied.

Travel

From delayed to missed flights, travel from the States to Athens to Kefalonia was the most stressful part of the experience. That said, Athens has great graffiti.

About the Project

Undergraduate Student Showcase

Mazarakata Mycenaean Burial Site
3D Photogrammetry

Other Tombs: Triangle Tomb

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Scanning Team: Landon Seitz, Ralph Covington, Emma Reid, Emily Moore, Avery Denton, Audrey Colopy. Scaniverse.
Broken Tomb.

2024 June 5. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Audrey Colopy.
Collapsed Tomb

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Scanning Team: Landon Seitz, Ralph Covington, Emma Reid, Emily Moore, Avery Denton, Audrey Colopy. Scaniverse.
Site Entrance: Exposed Dirt Path

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Scanning Team: Landon Seitz, Ralph Covington, Emma Reid, Emily Moore, Avery Denton, Audrey Colopy. Scaniverse.
Other Tombs: Tomb Z

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Scanning Team: Landon Seitz, Ralph Covington, Emma Reid, Emily Moore, Avery Denton, Audrey Colopy. Scaniverse.
Tomb N: Collapsed Top Opening

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Scanning Team: Landon Seitz, Ralph Covington, Emma Reid, Emily Moore, Avery Denton, Audrey Colopy. Scaniverse.
Fragment: Mazarakata Rocks

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. Scan by Scanning Team: Landon Seitz, Ralph Covington, Emma Reid, Emily Moore, Avery Denton, Audrey Colopy. Scaniverse.
Artifact: Pot

2024 June 5. Kefalonia, Greece. 3D Model by Ralph Covington. Application: Blender. Tomb artifacts were custom modeled by students based on research documents / images. 3D models were not created from photogrammetry due to limited access to physical artifacts.
Artifact: Pot

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. 3D Model by Emily Moore. Application: Blender. Tomb artifacts were custom modeled by students based on research documents / images. 3D models were not created from photogrammetry due to limited access to physical artifacts.
Artifact: Pot

2024 June 10. Kefalonia, Greece. 3D Model by Landon Seitz. Application: Blender. Tomb artifacts were custom modeled by students based on research documents / images. 3D models were not created from photogrammetry due to limited access to physical artifacts.
UI. Visual Identity

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang.
UI. Home

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang. Content provided by Research Team: Emma Cain, Katie Sohacki, Jemimah Mwaniki, Ashton Walthall, Feven Taye, Jamie Laurel.
UI. Map Above Ground

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang. Content provided by Research Team: Emma Cain, Katie Sohacki, Jemimah Mwaniki, Ashton Walthall, Feven Taye, Jamie Laurel.
UI. Tomb Level 360° Map

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang.
UI. Tomb Level 360° Map

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang.
UI. History

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang. Content provided by Research Team: Emma Cain, Katie Sohacki, Jemimah Mwaniki, Ashton Walthall, Feven Taye, Jamie Laurel.
UI. Archaeology

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang. Content provided by Research Team: Emma Cain, Katie Sohacki, Jemimah Mwaniki, Ashton Walthall, Feven Taye, Jamie Laurel.
UI. Library

Designs by UI Team: Seraphina Bieniek, Terry Dickens, Vy Hoang. Content provided by Research Team: Emma Cain, Katie Sohacki, Jemimah Mwaniki, Ashton Walthall, Feven Taye, Jamie Laurel.

I collaborated with students to “show off” their work in impactful ways. Beyond the technical prowess that the 3D modeling displayed, I animated the students’ artifacts in PowerPoint as part of the final student showcase to the Ionion Center and the local community. The final showcase was intended to “tease” what could be done to represent Mycenaean burial sites.