A VIEW THROUGH THE PERISCOPE : ADVANCED AND GEOSPATIAL VISUALIZATION OF NAVAL BATTLEFIELDS

Abstract

Battlefield visualizations have existed for nearly ten thousand years and are found in almost all corners of the world. These may range from simple representations of opposing hunting parties depicted in Neolithic cave art to the examples found in today's military atlases. The practices used to visualize these, almost ubiquitous human acts, have changed along with the sciences, arts, and military technology and strategy. Although the most drastic changes in military technology have occurred within the last century, little advancement has been made concerning battlefield visualization techniques. Essentially, new military technologies and strategies have been visualized with outdated techniques and methodologies. This study attempts to identify the key trends and deficiencies in battlefield visualizations so that new or alternative techniques may be proposed. Inspiration for these alternative methodologies will come from closely associated academic disciplines that already utilize these techniques. Once these trends and techniques are identified, then an exploration into these innovated battlefield visualization techniques is possible. These new and innovative techniques are important because they advance the discourse of battlefield visualizations and may increase the conveyance of ideas between scholars and the public.