Description
Description (EN): The rich and culturally diverse archaeological heritage of the Danube region is the only remnant of the millennia of our society’s development and a carrier of important information about our past. Its huge potential for the development of tourism in the region is facing a major challenge, as it is not visible enough to be sustainably managed and used. By “visibility”, not only sheer physical presence of archaeological artefacts or reconstructions of sites is meant, but also the visibility of archaeology for the general public. New technologies enable us not only to visualise archaeological knowledge in completely new ways, but also to transfer it promptly and in attractive ways to the broader public.
Danube´s Archaeological eLandscapes project´s major goal is to make the archaeological heritage, especially archaeological landscapes of the Danube region, regionally, nationally and internationally more visible and thereby more attractive for its integration into sustainable cultural tourism. The backbone of this task are the major museums of the region, setting their focus also beyond their own premises, i.e. in the most prominent archaeological landscapes of the Danube region. By involving state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies the museums, which are visited by the mainstream of tourists, will encourage the visitors to experience the heritage in its original landscapes not only in their own country, but also in countries of other partners.
The project not only aims to support one of the largest networks of major institutions with archaeological collections and knowledge, but also focuses on a long-term cross-promotion campaign for archaeological cultural heritage in the region. The partnership will also continue the work of the RegioStars2018 finalist Iron-Age-Danube project by promoting the new Iron Age Danube route and creating new transnational archaeological routes as tools for preservation of this heritage.
Read more Achievements (EN): REVIVING ANCIENT WONDERS: SARAH KISZTER ON THE DANUBE'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL ELANDSCAPES PROJECT:
In an era where technology and heritage conservation are joining forces to bring the past to life, the Danube's Archaeological eLandscapes project is a trendsetter in the field, as it leverages cutting-edge technology to narrate the untold stories of our ancestors. At the forefront of this innovative endeavor is Sarah Kiszter, from the Universalmuseum Joanneum. In this interview, we delve into how digital storytelling can make the archaeological heritage of the Danube region more visible, help educate about it and preserve it.
1. HOW HAVE THE PROJECT RESULTS BEEN USED?
The project’s major innovation is a model connecting new technologies, the landscape approach in archaeological heritage protection and museum exhibitions in a new unique product built on intensive transnational cooperation. New technologies like state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality applications were used to visualise archaeological knowledge in completely new ways. Visitors were encouraged to experience virtually reconstructed archaeological heritage in its original landscapes not only in their own country, but also in countries of other partners. Digital storytelling can help to build memories, it can be entertaining and informative – but it can also educate about our shared obligation to preserve these memories and our archaeological heritage.
2. WAS THE PROJECT'S IMPACT ON POLICY MAKING AS EXPECTED?
The Danube’s Archaeological eLandscapes project is a good example how to tackle archaeological heritage with the help of state-of the art technology on several levels. The new transnational strategy, standards, and action plan, developed in the project, will have an impact on the level of single countries legislation. As individually set standards rarely create a broader impact, the partners decided on a transnational approach, which should not only add, but rather multiply the individual effects. Nevertheless, the partners also decided to create additional national recommendations and priority lists for the individual countries, due to the different developments in the countries of the Danube region.
3. HAVE THE PROJECT RESULTS INFLUENCED POLICY DECISIONS OR LED TO ANY CHANGES IN THE FIELD?
Archaeological heritage does not stop at modern national borders, neither does the Danube´s Archaeological eLandscapes project. In times of increasing competition on the “leisure” market, our project was seeking new approaches for the joint promotion of hidden archaeological heritage in the Danube region. In this respect the project was the largest cross-promotion of archaeological landscapes ever attempted in the Danube region.
4. WAS THERE ANY RESISTANCE OR CHALLENGES IN INCORPORATING THE PROJECT RESULTS INTO THEIR WORK?
In order to disseminate the strategy, presentations for local policy makers and other stakeholders were held by the partnership. The public debate with the stakeholders included representatives of various strands of public life, as for example policy makers and state/country or regional ministries responsible for culture, agriculture, economy, and tourism which was well received in all countries.
5. HOW CAN FUTURE PROJECTS BETTER SUPPORT USE OF THE RESULTS TO DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE?
The partnership created for the first time a transnational strategy and standards for virtual reconstruction and digital promotion of archaeological heritage to communicate the values of heritage contents to the public and there with secure its sustainable future. Many museums have started to use these new technologies sporadically in their presentations. But they are still lacking a systematic approach towards introducing these technologies in the museum, an approach, which not only considers the available funds, but also the most appropriate and efficient ways of presentations.
The strategies and standards form a set of two documents which present, promote, and evaluate the workflow for the creation of digital visualisations of archaeological heritage, as seen from the partnership of the project. A similar product could also be developed for cross-promoting other kinds of tangible and intangible heritage in the Danube region.
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Website: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/
Expected Results (EN): Intensity of cooperation of key actors in the programme area in order to strengthen sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage and resources (survey based composite indicator)
Expected Outputs (EN): Danube´s Archaeological eLandscapes project aims to create the strongest network of institutions dealing with the management and promotion of archaeological heritage ever attempted in the Danube region. In order to achieve this, we will tackle two major challenges:
1.) Challenge of visualisation and promotion of archaeological landscapes as a whole instead of mere individual sites;
2.) Challenge of sustainable integration of new digital technologies in the visualisation, presentation and protection of archaeological heritage. Currently, most European institutions dealing with archaeological heritage and its presentation are facing these two challenges. Therefore, recognising good practice examples and setting standards will improve capacities for balanced heritage protection and sustainable tourism in the region. Creating a common harmonised strategy and setting standards for the integration of new digital technologies in major museums and heritage institutions of the Danube region will have an immediate concrete effect in form of joint presentations of digital archaeological landscapes (eLandscapes) and the biggest promotion campaign for the Danube´s archaeological heritage. Collective digital standards, cross-promotion activities and transnational cultural routes will not only have an immediate impact on the perception and importance of archaeological heritage by the wider public, but will also enable an effective and long lasting cooperation in the project network and continuous integration of new actors from within the Danube region. The project is connected to almost all kinds of diverse archaeological heritage in the region and therefore offers by uniting the digital language a major support for the "digital revolution" in the museums. By the implementation of the project the key stakeholders can expect at least 15% raise in their capacities for the integration of digital technologies in the preservation and presentation of this heritage in the Danube region.
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Thematic information
Specific Objective:
Foster sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage and resources (short title). Strengthen joint and integrated approaches to preserve and manage the diversity of natural and cultural heritage and resources in the Danube region as a basis for sustainable development and growth strategies
Thematic Objective:
(06) preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency by:
Investment Priority:
(06c) Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage
Partners (10)
Lead Partner:
Universalmuseum Joanneum GmbH
Department:
Archaeology&Coin cabinet
Address:
Mariahilferstrasse 2-4, 8020 Graz, Austria
Legal status:
public
Website:
https://www.museum-joanneum.at
Total budget:
EUR 378 125.00
ERDF budget:
EUR 321 406.25
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Technická univerzita v Košiciach
-
Name:
Technická univerzita v Košiciach
Address:
Letná 1/9, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.tuke.sk/
Total budget:
EUR 329 210.00
ERDF budget:
EUR 279 828.50
-
Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum
-
Name:
Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum
Department:
Department of Archaeological Excavations and Artefacts Processing
Address:
Múzeum krt. 14-16, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.mnm.hu
Total budget:
EUR 311 105.22
ERDF budget:
EUR 264 439.44
-
Universität Wien
-
Name:
Universität Wien
Department:
Institute of Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology
Address:
Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.univie.ac.at
Total budget:
EUR 273 993.32
ERDF budget:
EUR 232 894.32
-
Arheološki muzej u Zagrebu
-
Name:
Arheološki muzej u Zagrebu
Address:
Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.amz.hr
Total budget:
EUR 270 325.00
ERDF budget:
EUR 229 776.25
-
Landesamt für Denkmalpflege im Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart
-
Name:
Landesamt für Denkmalpflege im Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart
Department:
Referat 84.1
Address:
Berliner Strasse 12, 73728 Esslingen a. N., Germany
Legal status:
public
Website:
https://www.denkmalpflege-bw.de
Total budget:
EUR 227 957.85
ERDF budget:
EUR 193 764.17
-
Narodni muzej Slovenije
-
Name:
Narodni muzej Slovenije
Department:
Archaeology
Address:
Prešernova 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.nms.si
Total budget:
EUR 205 760.00
ERDF budget:
EUR 174 896.00
-
Muzeul National de Istorie a Romaniei
-
Name:
Muzeul National de Istorie a Romaniei
Address:
Calea Victoriei 12/3, 030026 Bukarest, Romania
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.mnir.ro
Total budget:
EUR 182 815.00
ERDF budget:
EUR 155 392.75
-
Zavod za varstvo kulturne dediščine Slovenije
-
Name:
Zavod za varstvo kulturne dediščine Slovenije
Department:
Služba za razvoj in informatiko / Development and IT service
Address:
Poljanska cesta 40, 1000 Lj, Slovenia
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.zvkds.si
Total budget:
EUR 175 427.25
ERDF budget:
EUR 149 113.16
-
Регионален исторически музей - Русе
-
Name:
Регионален исторически музей - Русе
Address:
Al. Battenberg Sq. 3, 7000 Ruse, Bulgaria
Legal status:
public
Website:
http://www.museumruse.com
Total budget:
EUR 118 250.00
ERDF budget:
EUR 100 512.50
