The Role of Web Platforms in Balancing Sustainable Conservation and Development in Large Archaeological Site: the Naxos case study

Abstract

Large archaeological areas or archaeological parks located within urbanized areas suffer more than other sites from anthropic pressure (urbanization and tourism), to which are added all the problems related to their conservation, safeguarding, fruition, management, maintenance, etc. Effective management strategies are essential. The use of Web Platforms in the management of 3D data is emerging as an effective solution for balancing conservation and development within large archaeological sites. This paper presents a case study of the Naxos Archaeological Park, Sicily, Italy. This case study highlights the role of advanced survey techniques, such as Mobile Mapping Systems and UAV-based photogrammetry, in generating extensive and comprehensive 3D datasets. It explores the possible contribution given by commercial web platforms for 3D data management in supporting design and development projects with reality capture data. Web platforms offer significant advantages by providing a shared environment for visualizing, interacting with, and processing large datasets. These platforms enable real-time collaboration among professionals with varying levels of expertise, fostering data sharing and reducing the need for local computing resources. This article provides a comparison methodology by testing and evaluating four commercial platforms: FlyVast, ATIS.cloud, Flai, and Cintoo, testing their functionalities and performances. It is then presented the adopted platform, Cintoo, and explained the reasons of the choice and its suitability for the project goal. Finally, it is provided an overview of the principal reasons that support the adoption of web platforms for sharing and collaboration supported by accurate 3D data, focusing on the potential cost reduction and efficiency.