From archives to museum and back: transcribing, digitizing, and enriching cultural heritage and manuscript legacy data of the Villa del Casale of Piazza Armerina

Abstract

Legacy data from archaeological sites with long excavation histories present both challenges and opportunities for modern research. Such data - ranging from handwritten notes, excavation diaries, and photographs to artefacts and related inventories - often predate contemporary recording standards, yet they can hold invaluable information about archaeological sites that did not make it into the publication record. This research situates itself within the broader theoretical framework of “archive archaeology,” in the context of a digitization project at the Villa del Casale. Using existing AI technologies such as Transkribus and the Handwriting Analysis Tool, the project approaches archives not only as repositories of information but also as subjects of study. It explores the potential of these advanced digital technologies to transcribe and interpret unpublished handwritten legacy data - specifically, archival materials related to earlier excavations at the Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina - in order to contribute to the broader analysis and understanding of legacy data and handwritten field notes. Additionally, the project discusses the creation of a Villa del Casale's digital ecosystem to enhance the dissemination, accessibility, and reuse of both primary and secondary research data through the use of the open-source web publishing platform Omeka Classic, designed for the creation and management of digital collections and exhibits. The approach taken in this research seeks to integrate different up-to-date digital technologies to bridge the gap between historical archives, archaeological legacy data, and contemporary archaeological inquiry.