Terminological Study for Scientific Hypothetical 3D Reconstruction

This paper presents preliminary findings from the ongoing Erasmus+ European project CoVHer, which focuses on the hypothetical virtual reconstructions of lost or unbuilt architecture. This contribution provides a critical assessment of the terminology specific to this field. A significant challenge lies in the absence of standardised terminology for many foundational aspects, which can lead to misconceptions and misunderstandings. The research begins with a comprehensive review of the relevant literature in the field, aiming to identify which terms are most widely accepted and appropriate to use and which are ambiguous or should be avoided. For concepts that lack a clear definition, new terminology is proposed. This paper analyses six key terms: reconstruction, uncertainty, raw model, informative model, digital representation methods, and 3D modelling techniques.