This paper describes the Virtual Ganjali Khan Project, an ongoing research initiative that is using 3D scanning and immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies to document a large historical landmark in the desert city of Kerman, Iran, the Ganjali Khan Complex. It describes the intellectual merits of these emerging technologies for preserving and providing new forms of access to cultural heritage sites, outlines the procedures of data collection and 3D processing, and describes the current work and next steps of the project. This paper will be of interest to scholars and institutions considering using 3D and VR technologies for supporting cultural heritage preservation, digital humanities projects, or other types of interdisciplinary research.

An exploration of the examination of Middle Eastern contributions to European architecture, interior design and decorative arts in historical survey texts reveals a prejudicial marginalization of the impact of the former on the latter culture. Western scholars’ nationalistic efforts to build up the stature of their cultures’ achievements have almost invariably resulted in discounting those of other cultures. Although designers of buildings might be more prone to share Bannisters Fletcher’s idea of architecture as the art form that is “more than any other national product”, students and teachers of all the arts should recognize and neutralize the impact of nationalism on art history and criticism.