The Virtual Hypogeum is a virtual reality (VR) representation of a Neolitichal Temple. This sub-terrenial temple is situated in Malta and is dated 5000 years B.C.

The virtual reality world was built using VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language), together with Visual Basic. The Hypogeum was quite complex to model, since there is no symetrical structure. The chambers are completely irregular not like modern buildings. The Hypogeum consists of 33 chambers split up into 3 main levels.

Besides the building of the virtual reality world, we added some additional features, such as the ability to see your current position with reference to the level map. We added guided tours where you see the whole Hypogeum without touching a key. During the guided tour you here a voice saying something on the chamber you are currently in.

There is the possibility to record your own guided tour, which you can play later. There is various ways in which you can render the world, you can render the world with textures only or else with textures plus shadows coming from a source of light (for example a torch). The later gives you the impression that you are navigating in the dark with only a torch in your hands.

The following are some screenshots

Currently we are working on another version of the Hypogeum where there are no textures. The rendering would be much faster especially on slow machines.