by Daisy De Nardis and Federica Galazzi.
In the evocative setting of the Archaeological Museum and the Via Flaminia in Cagli, an innovative digitalization project virtually brings back to the territory one of its most significant archaeological testimonies: the warriors of the Stipe of Coltona. Through advanced technologies and an inclusive approach, the museum is transformed into an immersive and multisensory space, offering visitors an engaging experience accessible to all.
In 1878, twelve bronze statuettes, depicting warrior deities, were found in Coltona, near Cagli. Since then, these precious finds have been kept in the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche, in Ancona, limiting the possibility for the territory to preserve a part of its historical heritage. The project “On the Trail of the Warriors of Cagli”, developed within the “Next-Museum” European initiative, has filled this gap through interactive installations and digital replicas returning symbolically the statuettes to the local community, strengthening the bond between the civic museum and the national museum.
The initiative is part of a broader context of valorisation of the cultural heritage of the internal areas, often excluded from the major tourist circuits. Bringing back, even if only virtually, the statuettes to their territory of origin means giving back to the community part of its history and identity, allowing visitors to rediscover the link between the past and the present.
The preliminary study had the objective of recognizing the museum’s own identity and finding the right way to enhance it. The heart of the initiative consists of a multidisciplinary team that has conceived a project combining archaeology, technology and multisensory narration. The exhibition has been enriched with:
- Tactile replicas of the bronze statuettes, made with 3D printing: they are accessible to people with visual impairments. The Omero State Tactile Museum actively collaborated in the design of these supports, so that the blind public could “read” the artworks through touch.
- An interactive table (with writings also in Braille) that allows you to explore the history of the warriors through an audiovisual narration, activated by pawns visitors can move between the stages of the route. This tool not only enriches the visit but stimulates an active and participatory experience.
- Motion graphic video story (with Italian/English subtitles), activated from the interactive table, designed with engaging storytelling for children and young people, to depict the path taken by the bronze statuettes based on their stages, from their discovery to their digitalization.
- A virtual tour of the archaeological finds of the area of Cagli: an invitation to discover places of historical interest not always easily accessible. Thanks to an interactive map, the visitor can immerse themselves in a journey through time and space, discovering the importance of the Via Flaminia in the past.
The adopted approach follows the principles of “Design for All”, making the museum a place of inclusion and participation for a diverse audience. The concept of “accessible museum” is not limited to ensuring paths without architectural barriers but extends to the possibility of enjoying knowledge through different methods: tactile, visual, sound and interactive.
One of the most innovative aspects of the project was the acknowledgment of the figure of the Digital Curator, capable of integrating digital tools in museum management, promotion and creation of new experiences of fruition. The Next-Museum project has invested in the training of this professional skill, providing advanced skills for the digitalization and valorisation of cultural heritage.
The Digital Curator acts as a mediator between scientific content, public needs and new possibilities offered by digitalization. Thanks to his vision, the museum becomes an environment in continuous evolution, capable of responding to the new challenges of cultural communication.
“On the Trail of the Cagli Warriors” is a virtuous example of how technology can be put at the service of culture without replacing it but amplifying its ability to involve the public. The initiative received the National Inclusion 3.0 Award of UNIMC (University of Macerata), an award that underlines the positive impact of the project in creating value for the territory and the community.
This model of an accessible, interactive museum, connected to the territory, represents a point of reference for other small and medium-sized museums, demonstrating how digitalization can be an effective tool to enhance cultural heritage, making it alive and accessible to all. Technology turns out to be not an aim but a mean to enrich the narrative and offer new keys to reading the past.
Finally, the project highlights the importance of collaboration between different entities to raise awareness and involve the territory: public bodies, universities, research institutes, cultural associations and specialized companies. The plurality of the involved subjects has allowed us to develop an innovative path, capable of combining scientific rigor and accessible fruition, opening the way for new perspectives for the future of local museums.
A key element for the project’s success was the involvement of the interdisciplinary working group, coordinated by the Fondazione Marche Cultura (project leader). Through working groups and periodic meetings, it was possible to conduct an in-depth analysis of the territory, identifying the best strategies to redesign the museum’s image. This synergy between professionals from different fields planners, organizers, communicators, archaeologists, museologists, engineers, accessibility experts, designers, digital developers and voice actors made possible to balance conservation needs and digital innovation, experimenting new ways of narration and interaction for the public.
Specifically, the project involved: Fondazione Marche Cultura, Università Politecnica delle Marche, ICOM Italia, Museo Archeologico e della Via Flaminia di Cagli, Museo Archeologico Nazionale delle Marche), Museo Tattile Statale Omero, Comune di Cagli, Comune di Fano, Confcommercio Marche Nord, UICI Pesaro, as well as professionals for motion graphics production, dubbing, 3D printing, digital museum installations and set-up. The integration of different skills has allowed to tackle the project with a broad and inclusive vision, ensuring an accurate and engaging restitution of the cultural heritage, and creating a replicable model for other museums that wish to undertake a path of digitalization and accessibility.