Discovering ancient Metapontum: technologies and methodologies from past to present for a virtual visit proposal

The results of this work are in the project related to the virtual visit to the Greek colonies of Herakleia and Metaponto. It was promoted by the "Soprintendenza ai Beni Archeologici della Basilicata", in order to offer multimedia products and pathways of knowledge that articulate from the remains visible on the ground surface to the digital reconstruction proposals. This work is done in 2006 with the publication of an interactive CD-ROM to be installed inside the National Museum of Metaponto, but this experience continues today, thanks to a continuous review of 3D models recalculated with modern photo-realistic rendering algorithms. Since 1964 Metaponto has been the subject of intensive archaeological research. The abundance of recovered materials documenting the peculiarities of local artisan production, the variety of architectural decorations engaged in major public buildings of the sanctuary and agora and the Mediterranean dimension of trade. There are few equals in quantity and quality of data in the landscape of the Greek colonies of southern Italy. Despite missing the third dimension, as in most of the archaeological sites and visibility on the ground is often reduced to a few structural elements such small traces that create complex layouts. The ancient Metaponto virtual visit was based on the above premises and it is developed in relation to the methods concerning the reconstructive archeology, now widely accepted by the scientific community. The main purpose of the virtual visit is to provide information, not only on what is directly comprehensible by a direct visit of the monuments, but also and especially on those items that are difficult to understand. Each reconstructive hypothesis is aimed to enhance both the educational value of archaeological items and to, responds to the need to make this understandable to the public. Through a systematic study of past and present documents, traced in a transparent and intelligible way, this experience of virtual archeology intends to give to the public the interpretation results with the high scientific rigor.