Digitization of two urban archaeological areas in Reggio Calabria (Italy): Roman Thermae and Greek fortifications

Abstract

The digitization of Heritage represents a great challenge that Italy is facing in order to improve the state of documentation, conservation, enhancement and dissemination of its huge cultural assets. This paper, part of the project Circuito delle Aree Archeologiche Urbane di Reggio Calabria (a collaboration between the Municipality of Reggio Calabria and the CNR-IPCF of Messina), shows the complete workflow (from field survey to web-sharing) carried out for the enhancement of two archaeological sites located in the urban center of Reggio Calabria. The study-cases selected are represented by the Roman Thermae and the Greek fortification, both located along the Falcomatà waterfront. The metric surveys have been based on the use of terrestrial laser scanning and close-range photogrammetry, well-established techniques for the production of graphic documentation and 3D digital replicas of artifacts ranging from architectural up to object scale. The final outcome of our action is the implementation of a web-based platform (built up with Faro WebShare Cloud) where expert and non-expert users (e.g. scholars, professionals, administrators, tourists) can navigate image-based and 3D point-cloud models and, in addition, search metadata of their specific interest (media, old pictures, results of analyses etc.). This product, absolutely unprecedented and singular for a southern Italy Municipality, more than an interactive museum, is configured as an integrated and partecipative tool capable of improving the state of knowledge, conservation, valorization and dissemination of these sites and their environments. Because of its singularity, this solution can be also considered as a case-study for the evaluation of long-term effects on the growth of tourism, inclusivity and accessibility of cultural places during particular situations (maintenance works, pandemic emergency etc.).