From sources to Levels of Reference (LoRef) for the virtual reconstructions of the Priene Theatre: an interoperable and informative HBIM workflow

Abstract. Virtual reconstruction of archaeological architecture requires transparent and reproducible methods for managing heterogeneous historical sources within three-dimensional models. This paper presents a source-driven HBIM workflow that defines a Level of Reference (LoRef) to explicitly link reconstructed architectural elements to the documentary evidence supporting them.

The methodology is applied to the virtual reconstruction of the ancient Theatre of Priene, considering multiple historical configurations derived from archival drawings, excavation documentation, survey data, and interpretative studies. Main sources were classified using the IDOVIR Source Classification Taxonomy and mapped into the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) to ensure semantic interoperability within an openBIM environment. LoRef information is assigned to HBIM elements via shared parameters and visual thematic labelling (source filtering), enabling explicit representation of source provenance at the component level.

Instead of encoding accuracy or reliability as predefined metrics, the proposed approach treats LoRef as a primary information layer, from which qualitative and quantitative assessments are derived in a second stage based on source typology and consistency. The resulting HBIM model functions as an interoperable, FAIR-compliant knowledge system, supporting transparent documentation, reuse, and cross-platform dissemination of virtual reconstructions.