Might not Just Be Another Pile of Old Stones

Abstract

This contribution examines the challenges of understanding an archaeological site and explores how various factors impact the public’s ability to comprehend the original use of a spatial configuration that no longer exists. It focuses on the remains of the Arch of Titus at the Circus Maximus in Rome and analyses how the lack of adequate explanations obscures the original context of the site, despite its historical significance; the dispersion of scattered stone fragments, along with several modern and contemporary interventions, further complicate the perception of the arch’s original structure.

This situation creates an incomplete experience for the visitor, who is confronted with a landscape full of remnants but with a fragmented understanding of their historical and architectural value.

In today’s highly technological world, it would be possible to create a performative activity at the Circus, such as a modern chariot race, incorporating virtual and augmented reality systems to enhance the experience with historical information, allowing diverse audiences to engage with the archaeological site in a way that closely mirrors its original use.