Scope

We strongly encourage interdisciplinary papers and would like to keep a wide scope. However, due to the potentially very large scope and in order to align the workshop with ACCV audience we will require that all papers:

1. Be related (either as primary or secondary focus) to one of ACCV topics as listed in ACCV call for papers .
2. Papers actually involving e-Heritage (versus "can be applied to e-Heritage") will be given highest priority.

Motivation

Digitally archived world heritage sites are broadening their value for preservation and access.  The UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) has just opened a web site “World Digital Library,” where people can access to the cultural materials from libraries and archives around the world. Listed sites to UNESCO are now 890, of which, 689 are cultural sites, 176 are natural and 25 have mixed properties.

The preservation and digital access projects are necessary not only to open the heritage sites to public, but also to preserve the sites of “outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.” Unfortunately, many valuable objects that form part of our cultural heritage assets have been decayed by time, weathering and natural disasters such as Indonesia’s recent earthquake. Other objects have been destroyed through man-made disasters such as the Taliban’s destruction of the great Buddhas of Bamyan in Afghanistan, or the recent destruction by fire of a 600 years old South Gate in Seoul.   Capturing digital representations provides a mechanism for preservation, as well as access, and even scholarly study.

World cultural heritage however, is not limited to sites. It includes Music, Languages, Dances, and Customs that are fast becoming extinct as the world moves toward a global village.  It includes art master pieces that face the danger of time, theft, and destruction by fire and war. Even if we had not faced the challenge of preservation, we would still face a problem of accessibility.  Most of these sites are out of reach to most people. A significant amount of archeological and art objects are carefully kept in museums cellars and are not displayed. Digital acquisition and display of cultural heritage, art, historical and archeological objects can assist preserving their original look, in case something happens to them. This can assist restoration efforts, and can significantly enhance the ability of people all over the work to view and enjoy them.