# The Usage of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Underwater Archeology
## 4 Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies in Underwater Archeology
### Advantages of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology  
Due to the potential benefits they bring, VR and AR technologies are currently gaining popularity, also in the field of underwater archaeology. Their main advantage is their cost-effectiveness in many areas, including education and research in the field of archaeology, especially underwater. Conducting a simulation is usually much cheaper than taking action in the real world [99]. An example here is underwater work, the costs of which are usually very high and can reach up to several thousand dollars a day [8]. Additionally, it is worth paying attention to the aspect of risk, which is significantly lower in \"dry diving\" using VR applications than in real underwater work [100]. It is worth noting that although virtual training will not replace realistic training, in the first stage of an archaeological diver's preparation, it could be a good alternative when introducing basic underwater work techniques or even specialized training [98]. Experience from other fields shows that VR and AR can play an important role in emergency training. These types of simulation provide more realistic experiences than \"false alarms\" and \"role-play\" studies, e.g., in the situation of evacuation from a building, and also help to better design situations for other people [101]. Another important element, from the point of view of underwater archeology, is the user's involvement and complete \"immersion\" in a \"different dimension\". This has the advantages of both in terms of training and research, as well as in presenting the results of work to a wider audience. In the first case, it allows the user to focus on training tasks by eliminating disturbing factors. This allows to shorten the training time and increase its effects [102]. The use of new teaching tools, i.e., VR, often arouses the interest of learners, thereby strengthening the teaching effect. In the case of archaeology, virtual reconstruction improves cognitive processes by making historical-archaeological data easily understandable to any user [75]. Additionally, the cognitive process can be enhanced by the so-called storytelling, i.e., an engaging story played out most often in the first perspective, and learning by doing [75]. Additionally, if the user has difficulty mastering a specific skill, the program allows the user to repeat the task many times until satisfactory results are achieved [103]. In the case of underwater archeology students, it is also important that technology allows not only to improve technical skills but can also be used to effectively improve visual thinking skills, which may be useful in future research work, including understanding ship construction, maritime reconstruction, or infrastructure in a given cultural context [15; 104]. From the point of view of scientific analysis, VR offers new ways to both visualize problems and interact with the environment in order to effectively analyze them, discover new relationships, understand objects and events, and solve research problems [103; 13]. These methods usually increase the researcher's participation and help in understanding complex situations [15]. Additionally, creating virtual research allows for the verification of data obtained in the field (testing research hypotheses) and their re-analysis, and facilitates the exploration of various perspectives, also by researchers who do not have diving skills [13; 31; 90]. It may help also in collecting appropriate documentation [15]. The method of 3D visualization very often helps to look at the research site from a new perspective, which contributes to asking new questions about existing data and also leads to new and unexpected insights, sometimes challenging traditional interpretations based on 2D documentation [15]. In the case of underwater archeology sites, this aspect seems to be particularly important due to various factors operating underwater and impeding access to archaeological objects or causing their rapid destruction.