Augmented and Virtual Reality for the enhancement of Cultural Heritage. Methodologies and good practices

Abstract

The use of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) applications and new digital technologies have achieved a rapid evolution, especially in recent decades, in a large number of areas due to the technological progress that began in the early 2000s. In the same way, digital tools are becoming increasingly important to protect, preserve, and valorize cultural heritage. The digitalization of the archive's documents and ancient books, the realization of augmented reality apps for museums, or even the creation of virtual realities set in cultural or landscape environments that are protected or not open to visitors, are examples of the use of the new technology in the field of cultural heritage. In addition, recent advancements in virtual reality technologies provide new opportunities for cultural heritage organizations to attract, engage, and support end-users more efficiently and effectively by creating unprecedented interactive experiences that can scaffold users' creativity, learning, collaboration, and entertainment. In this article we will analyze all these aspects, showing some examples of how the use of virtual and augmented reality and new digital technologies represents an important tool for protecting, conserving and enhancing our cultural heritage in all its forms.