ARCADE Project: Safeguarding the Prehistoric Legacy of Aul Rock-shelter through Augmented Reality and 21st-Century Heritage Pedagogy

Oka Agus Kurniawan Shavab

The Aul Rock-shelter in Ciamis, West Java, represents a significant yet precarious archaeological frontier in the Sundaland karst region. Despite its potential to yield insights into early human occupation, the site faces an imminent dual threat: rapid physical degradation from environmental weathering and ‘cultural amnesia’ among local youth. This study aims to establish a dual-purpose framework: to document systematically the site’s prehistoric spatial data and to bridge the gap between static archaeological remains and interactive heritage education. To achieve this, the ARCADE (Aul Rock-shelter & Cave Augmented Reality for Digital Education) project employs a hybrid methodology, combining high-resolution photogrammetric documentation and 3D spatial mapping with the development of an immersive Augmented Reality (AR) platform. This methodology ensures the digital preservation of the rock-shelter’s morphology and in situ features before further loss occurs. The resulting digital assets are strategically integrated into the ‘Kurikulum Merdeka’ through a place-based learning model, allowing future generations to explore the site and interact with digital artefacts virtually. By synthesising rigorous fieldwork data with digital innovation, ARCADE transforms the Aul Rock-shelter into a resilient educational resource. This initiative not only safeguards a localized prehistoric legacy but also serves as a transformative model for Global Citizenship, empowering the younger generation to reclaim and protect their cultural identity in a digitalised era.