Ritorno ad Anxia: from digital exhibition to virtual museum

The purpose of the digital exhibition “Ritorno ad Anxia” (Anzi, Palazzo La Fenice, 11 August – 31 October 2015) was aimed at promoting the extraordinary archeological heritage of Anzi (PZ), a small village situated in the inner part of Basilicata, and making known the first results of the research project led by the University of Basilicata in its territory. It covered a selection of particularly significant finds for the reconstruction of local ancient history, which were accompanied by a didactic equipment based not only on traditional tools but also on modern digital technologies. The basic idea has been to involve visitors as much as possible in a stimulating cultural experience in agreement with the most innovative approaches to the communication of cultural heritage. In this paper we present ideas, methods and technical aspects that have characterized this initiative – in many ways unique in Basilicata – of cultural development, even focusing on some solutions used along the tour route of the exhibition. The next step of our project would be to create in loco a permanent virtual antiquarium, in which users can better appreciate not only new archaeological findings from recent researches but also, through the exhibition of 3D printed models, some of the most important ancient objects from Anzi, scattered during the 19th century all over the world.