Knowledge modelling and fuzzy ontologies integration for Classical and Industrial Archaeologies

Along with the regeneration of complex cultural sites, a growing awareness regarding the essential role of ICT tools and technologies has emerged from past knowledge, research and intervention for future valorisation actions. However, within these processes, the artefact regeneration phase struggles to consider some peculiar aspects related to the material and immaterial evidence and uncertainties. Such a unique field can be supported by standard ontology conceptual formalism. Nevertheless, as it frequently occurs, it may not be enough to handle uncertain information, requiring the introduction of advanced tools for a deeper understanding and a better structure definition to manage those large sets of heterogeneous knowledge. A promising approach to handle uncertainty and to address this issue is the integration of fuzzy logic with usual technologies and semantic tools. In fact, the fuzzy set theory aims to describe indefinite concepts through a generalised notion of set. This paper aims to explore the possibility of a system based on fuzzy ontologies to manage the real complex semantics during heritage investigation and conservation processes. The expected outcome is to improve both the represented knowledge and to automatize the comprehension, recognition and valorisation of these assets by a reasoning system on ontologies.