Evolution of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies in Historical and Archaeological Research

History of the emergence and development of virtual reality technologies is analyzed, with an emphasis on applications in historical and archaeological research since the early 1990s to the present day. These technologies are considered both in the context of projects for the three-dimensional reconstruction of industrial and cultural heritage and for educational purposes (to create immersive effects). The first part contains very brief description of the most valuable achievements in the field of Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies development. Implementation of computer-based visualization is one of the most important issues of the paper in the context of discussed research projects.