ICT to Communicate, Represent and Enhance an Archaeological Area

ICT allows different ways to communicate and enhance the cultural heritage. We present the results of a research work whose objective is the use and dissemination of an archaeological area: the Forum of Nerva in Rome. The Forum was reconstructed on the basis of studies conducted by experts and the Superintendence’ surveys. The first phase of the methodology consists of the three-dimensional reconstruction of the Forum, after having identified the best modeling option. This entails a fair compromise between 3D modeling and the dissemination methods allowed by different media available to visitors. The second part of our research identifies some display/interaction modes: “real time” navigation of space reconstructed during the period of Imperial Rome and during the Early Middle Ages, with the possibility to switch from one to the other during the navigation; augmented reality display on “Portable Devices” such as smartphones and tablets; interaction with some artifacts present in the Forum, allowing a personal “query” of objects on the part of visitors.