VIRTUAL REALITY TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE. THE CASE STUDY OF CRYPTOPORTICUS IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF EGNATIA (ITALY)

Abstract. Digitalization and interactivity of reality in Augmented and Virtual Environments represent the synergic union between current technology potentialities and smartness of users in going beyond the traditional perception of real environment. As it is well-known, touristic bodies already taken advantages of Virtual Environments as cultural and touristic promotion of historic and archaeological sites. However, the analysis of potentialities in supporting technical community and professionals are still underway. Starting from the survey of instruments and protocols in previous experiences, the work presents a methodological flow aimed to create a virtual environment using 360° images – Virtual Tour – where the first phase of technical knowledge in historic sites can be resumed. In detail, a double level of knowledge can be reached: firstly, a virtual environment containing information about the actual state of conservation, then an upgraded one with historic and technical information (e.g. reports, images, surveys, etc.) added in an interactive as well intuitive way. The protocol has been applied to the undergrounded Cryptoporticus of Egnatia, an archaeological site in Apulia Region (Italy).