The first step in order to improve the situation will be to separate the scientifically based structural reconstructions from photo-realistic models for public dissemination: For scientific reasoning, the decorative artwork is counter-productive, because it occludes the essential. For photo-realistic imagery, the model is more important than the reasoning behind it. Second, a high-level standard representation for historic reconstructions is needed, that allows bidirectional linking to and from each “part” of the model. This uses a geometric markup, in the simplest case a box, to distinguish a part of the model.

This part can then be annotated (semantic enrichment) and, equally important, it can be referred to by external documents. Third, some sort of database as historic content management system that provides the spatio-temporal context for all individual reconstructions (geo-referencing + time), that manages multiple hypotheses, and it can interface and synchronize with other such databases. Furthermore, the database should be capable of exporting the model data in a standard 3D format, as a basis for the decorative artwork and the laborious DCC workflow that follows in order to produce scientifically justified, accurate, yet high-quality photo-realistic 3D-reconstructions of historic sites. And last, but not least, easy-to-use, reliable software tools will be needed to let CH professionals use all of the described functionality in their daily work without causing frustrations. Any scepticism and reservations against using 3D-technology can only be overcome when the benefits of using it are clear.