Augmenting archaeological walks. Theoretical and methodological considerations

Abstract

One of the most undertheorised and unimaginatively conducted aspects of Archaeological Heritage Management (AHM) is planning for on-site visitor movement. The identified under-theorisation and limitation of methodologies for assessing, conceiving and planning archaeological walks was the launching point of this research endeavour. This research aims to expand on Manovich’s notion of ‘augmented space’ in processes of dealing with visitor movement and archaeological walk planning. More specifically, it seeks to establish an interdisciplinary dialogue in order to identify the underexplored links between the visitor-archaeological site interaction, common practices, digital interventions, as well as conceptual planning in order to investigate the main following question: What does it mean to plan for visitor movement in archaeological sites in today’s technologically enhanced society? Further to this, it explores ways of how the aforementioned might work in synergy in assessing and planning interpretative archaeological walks. In order to achieve this dialogue, this research is drawing on well-established principles of AHM and interpretation via traditional and novel media, visitor mobility studies, architectural and media theory. In parallel, a variety of methods are explored and developed in order to support the main arguments of the thesis both on theoretical and evidence-based grounds. Based on the outcomes, this research addresses and challenges timely discussions on new theoretical directions, active engagements with heritage, informed creativity and creative solutions, for a strategic shift in dealings of research communities with cultural heritage sites and the public.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Graeme Earl: orcid.org/0000-0001-9077-4605

ORCID for David Wheatley: orcid.org/0000-0002-7265-704X

Catalogue record

Export record