From Stones to Screen: Open-Source 3D Modeling and AI Video Generation for Reconstructing the Coëby Necropolis

This study presents a comprehensive digital workflow for the archaeological investigation and heritage enhancement of the Coëby megalithic necropolis (Brittany, France). Dating to the Middle Neolithic, between the 4th and 3rd millennia BC, this chronology is established through stratigraphy, material culture, and radiocarbon dating. Focusing on cairns TRED 8 and TRED 9, which are two excavation units, we combined field archaeology, photogrammetry, and topographic data with open-source 3D geometric modeling to reconstruct the monuments’ original volumes and test construction hypotheses. The methodology leveraged the free software Blender (version 3.0.1) and its Bagapie extension for the procedural simulation of lithic block distribution within the tumular masses, ensuring both metric accuracy and realistic texturing. Beyond static reconstruction, the research explores innovative dynamic and narrative visualization techniques. We employed the FILM model for smooth video interpolation of the construction sequences and utilized the Wan 2.1 AI model to generate immersive video scenes of Neolithic life based on archaeologically informed prompts. The entire process, from data acquisition to final visualization, was conducted using free and open-source tools, guaranteeing full methodological reproducibility and alignment with open science principles. Our results include detailed 3D reconstructions that elucidate the complex architectural sequences of the cairns, as well as dynamic visualizations that enhance the understanding of their construction logic. This study demonstrates the analytical potential of open-source 3D modelling and AI-based visualisation for megalithic archaeology.