Exploring Ancient Architectural Designs with Cellular Automata

TL;DR

This paper explores how three-dimensional cellular automata can simulate complex architectural designs of Indonesian heritage sites, revealing simple rule-based emergence of intricate structures like Borobudur Temple.

Contribution

It demonstrates the application of 3D cellular automata to model complex ancient architecture, highlighting their explanatory power for civilizations lacking advanced tools.

Findings

Simulation confirms measurements of Borobudur Temple

Cellular automata can replicate complex architectural details

Supports the use of simple rules for modeling ancient structures

Abstract

The paper discusses the utilization of three-dimensional cellular automata employing the two-dimensional totalistic cellular automata to simulate how simple rules could emerge a highly complex architectural designs of some Indonesian heritages. A detailed discussion is brought to see the simple rules applied in Borobudur Temple, the largest ancient Buddhist temple in the country with very complex detailed designs within. The simulation confirms some previous findings related to measurement of the temple as well as some other ancient buildings in Indonesia. This happens to open further exploitation of the explanatory power presented by cellular automata for complex architectural designs built by civilization not having any supporting sophisticated tools, even standard measurement systems.