AHCI RESEARCH GROUP
Publications
Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.
OUR RESEARCH
Scientific Publications
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You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
2021
Scianna, Andrea; Gaglio, Giuseppe Fulvio; Guardia, Marcello La
HBIM Data Management in Historical and Archaeological Buildings Journal Article
In: Archeologia e Calcolatori, vol. 31, pp. 231–252, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Archaeological Site, Cultural heritage, HBIM
@article{sciannaHBIMDataManagement2021a,
title = {HBIM Data Management in Historical and Archaeological Buildings},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Giuseppe Fulvio Gaglio and Marcello La Guardia},
doi = {10.19282/ac.31.1.2020.11},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Archeologia e Calcolatori},
volume = {31},
pages = {231--252},
publisher = {Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche},
abstract = {Recent technological evolutions in the acquisition and management of building data are offering new opportunities for digital reconstruction. At the same time, the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, based on the implementation of libraries composed of parametric objects provided by the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standard, allows the design and management of data of existing buildings, and, in particular, historical and archaeological buildings. In the latter case, the great variety of Cultural Heritage (CH) distributed over the European territory, and the ability of BIM to cover the life of buildings or/and other artefacts from a geometric, descriptive, physical and static point of view, have stimulated the development of the HBIM (Historic BIM) modelling. The HBIM approach should consider the complexity of historical or archaeological buildings or artefacts, with particular attention to possible fragmentation or incompleteness of parts. In this work, different approaches regarding the survey, restitution and data management will be described, finalised to the construction of an HBIM model, considering different possible variables, emerging from different study cases. textcopyright 2020 Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. All rights reserved.},
keywords = {Archaeological Site, Cultural heritage, HBIM},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Recent technological evolutions in the acquisition and management of building data are offering new opportunities for digital reconstruction. At the same time, the BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, based on the implementation of libraries composed of parametric objects provided by the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standard, allows the design and management of data of existing buildings, and, in particular, historical and archaeological buildings. In the latter case, the great variety of Cultural Heritage (CH) distributed over the European territory, and the ability of BIM to cover the life of buildings or/and other artefacts from a geometric, descriptive, physical and static point of view, have stimulated the development of the HBIM (Historic BIM) modelling. The HBIM approach should consider the complexity of historical or archaeological buildings or artefacts, with particular attention to possible fragmentation or incompleteness of parts. In this work, different approaches regarding the survey, restitution and data management will be described, finalised to the construction of an HBIM model, considering different possible variables, emerging from different study cases. textcopyright 2020 Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. All rights reserved.
2020
Scianna, Andrea; Gaglio, Giuseppe Fulvio; Grima, Reuben; Guardia, Marcello La
THE VIRTUALIZATION of CH for HISTORICAL RECONSTRUCTION: The AR FRUITION of the FOUNTAIN of ST. GEORGE SQUARE in VALLETTA (MALTA) Proceedings Article
In: K., Ellul C. Morley J. Home R. Kalantari M. Wong (Ed.): International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives, pp. 143–149, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D Modelling, Archaeological Site, Augmented Reality, Cultural heritage, Digital Photogrammetry, Historical Reconstruction, Terrestrial Laser Scanners
@inproceedings{sciannaVIRTUALIZATIONCHHISTORICAL2020a,
title = {THE VIRTUALIZATION of CH for HISTORICAL RECONSTRUCTION: The AR FRUITION of the FOUNTAIN of ST. GEORGE SQUARE in VALLETTA (MALTA)},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Giuseppe Fulvio Gaglio and Reuben Grima and Marcello La Guardia},
editor = { Ellul C. Morley J. Home R. Kalantari M. Wong K.},
doi = {10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIV-4-W1-2020-143-2020},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
booktitle = {International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives},
volume = {44},
pages = {143--149},
publisher = {International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing},
abstract = {Improving accessibility to Cultural Heritage (CH) is an increasingly urgent challenge today. It is not only a matter of physical inaccessibility but also temporal, considering that part of CH now lost. Fortunately, the most modern technological tools are helping to break down both space and time barriers. In facts, recent advances in representation, 3D modelling and survey methodologies opened new scenarios for valorization and conservation of CH. In particular, the improvement of quality in resolution and sensor sensitivity of cameras allowed to achieve the right level of 3D reconstruction through digital photogrammetry procedures. In the same field, terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) allowed acquiring dense point clouds of complex environments with a millimetric level of accuracy. At the same time, the application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies is an excellent solution for improving the accessibility to monuments, museums and archaeological sites. It is possible to share new levels of information about CH, in space and time, for touristic, managerial and scientific aims. This work is focused on the virtualization of CH, considering the study case of the fountain of Wignacourt, today present in St. Philip Garden in Floriana and initially located in Valletta (Malta). The application presented allows the virtual fruition of the monument placed in its original location, St. George Square. A simplified plant of the square will enable tourists to make a temporal journey in the past with their mobile device. The work is part of the Interreg Italia-Malta European project named I-Access, dedicated to the improvement of CH accessibility. It focuses the attention to the experimentation of new specific procedures in Geomatics necessary to solve big data issues of complex environment visualization. textcopyright Authors 2020.},
keywords = {3D Modelling, Archaeological Site, Augmented Reality, Cultural heritage, Digital Photogrammetry, Historical Reconstruction, Terrestrial Laser Scanners},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Improving accessibility to Cultural Heritage (CH) is an increasingly urgent challenge today. It is not only a matter of physical inaccessibility but also temporal, considering that part of CH now lost. Fortunately, the most modern technological tools are helping to break down both space and time barriers. In facts, recent advances in representation, 3D modelling and survey methodologies opened new scenarios for valorization and conservation of CH. In particular, the improvement of quality in resolution and sensor sensitivity of cameras allowed to achieve the right level of 3D reconstruction through digital photogrammetry procedures. In the same field, terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) allowed acquiring dense point clouds of complex environments with a millimetric level of accuracy. At the same time, the application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies is an excellent solution for improving the accessibility to monuments, museums and archaeological sites. It is possible to share new levels of information about CH, in space and time, for touristic, managerial and scientific aims. This work is focused on the virtualization of CH, considering the study case of the fountain of Wignacourt, today present in St. Philip Garden in Floriana and initially located in Valletta (Malta). The application presented allows the virtual fruition of the monument placed in its original location, St. George Square. A simplified plant of the square will enable tourists to make a temporal journey in the past with their mobile device. The work is part of the Interreg Italia-Malta European project named I-Access, dedicated to the improvement of CH accessibility. It focuses the attention to the experimentation of new specific procedures in Geomatics necessary to solve big data issues of complex environment visualization. textcopyright Authors 2020.
2018
Scianna, Andrea; Gaglio, Giuseppe Fulvio; Guardia, Marcello La
BIM Modelling of Ancient Buildings Journal Article
In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), vol. 11196 LNCS, pp. 344–355, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: 3D Modelling, Archaeological Site, Cultural heritage, HBIM, Information Systems
@article{sciannaBIMModellingAncient2018a,
title = {BIM Modelling of Ancient Buildings},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Giuseppe Fulvio Gaglio and Marcello La Guardia},
editor = { Brumana R. Wallace M. Doulamis A. Patias P. Ioannides M. Martins J. Fink E.},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-01762-0_29},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)},
volume = {11196 LNCS},
pages = {344--355},
publisher = {Springer Verlag},
abstract = {In the last years, new procedures on design and management of constructions, based on 3D standardised models of building elements, have been proposed. It's the case of Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications, that, differently from CAD ones, allow to work with libraries of 3D parametrical objects (smart objects) describing geometric, structural and material properties of building elements. This methodology is based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) model, that represents a global standard for the building data exchange. Initially used for the design of new architectures, BIM methodology has been even more considered also for the management and the conservation of historical buildings, thanks to the possibilities of implementation of semantic information of 3D objects, guaranteed by the connection with the external database. At the same time, the lack of regular surfaces and standardised objects are relevant problems that nowadays strongly limit the use of BIM for Cultural Heritage (CH). Anyway, in recent times, the study of parameterised objects has opened new perspectives for BIM applications on historical buildings (HBIM). The present work shows the last achievements on this topic, focusing the problems derived from the application of BIM methodology to CH. In fact, the irregular shape of ancient architectural components, the wide variety of architectural languages that characterise historical buildings, the presence, sometimes, of different stratifications, are clear examples of the difficulties of implementing HBIM methodology for CH. textcopyright 2018, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.},
keywords = {3D Modelling, Archaeological Site, Cultural heritage, HBIM, Information Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In the last years, new procedures on design and management of constructions, based on 3D standardised models of building elements, have been proposed. It's the case of Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications, that, differently from CAD ones, allow to work with libraries of 3D parametrical objects (smart objects) describing geometric, structural and material properties of building elements. This methodology is based on the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) model, that represents a global standard for the building data exchange. Initially used for the design of new architectures, BIM methodology has been even more considered also for the management and the conservation of historical buildings, thanks to the possibilities of implementation of semantic information of 3D objects, guaranteed by the connection with the external database. At the same time, the lack of regular surfaces and standardised objects are relevant problems that nowadays strongly limit the use of BIM for Cultural Heritage (CH). Anyway, in recent times, the study of parameterised objects has opened new perspectives for BIM applications on historical buildings (HBIM). The present work shows the last achievements on this topic, focusing the problems derived from the application of BIM methodology to CH. In fact, the irregular shape of ancient architectural components, the wide variety of architectural languages that characterise historical buildings, the presence, sometimes, of different stratifications, are clear examples of the difficulties of implementing HBIM methodology for CH. textcopyright 2018, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
2017
Scianna, Andrea; Guardia, Marcello La
Main Features of a 3d Gis for a Monumental Complex with an Historical-Cultural Relevance Proceedings Article
In: G., Bonora V. Tucci (Ed.): International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives, pp. 519–526, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Archaeological Site, BIM, Cultural heritage, Geographical Information Systems, Historic Preservation, Restoration
@inproceedings{sciannaMainFeatures3d2017a,
title = {Main Features of a 3d Gis for a Monumental Complex with an Historical-Cultural Relevance},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Marcello La Guardia},
editor = { Bonora V. Tucci G.},
doi = {10.5194/isprs-Archives-XLII-5-W1-519-2017},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
booktitle = {International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives},
volume = {42},
pages = {519--526},
publisher = {International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing},
abstract = {The last achievements of technologies in geomatics especially in survey and restitution of 3D models (UAV/drones andlaser scanner technologies) generated new procedures and higher standards of quality in representation of archaeological sites. Together with Geomatics, the recent development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) strongly contribute to document and the Cultural Heritage (CH). The representation and documentation of CH using these new technologies has became necessary in orderto satisfy different needs: -for restorers in order to acquire a deep knowledge of the cultural good and to define possible strategiesof restoration; -for the conservation of information, allowing to preserve the 3D geometry of the monumental complex with the integration of descriptions about architectural elements; -for touristic aims, giving the opportunity of sharing CH information on web, allowing users to visit and explore, in a virtual way,monumental complexes, acquiring information details about architectural elementsorthe history of monumental complex. Looking through these new scenarios, the development of a 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) applied to a cultural good could be,today,an added value of fundamental importance for full description and data managementof monumental complexes. In this work,the main features necessary for the correct construction of a 3D GIS of a monumental complex will be analyzed, with a particular focus on the possibilities for creating a standardized procedure to follow.},
keywords = {Archaeological Site, BIM, Cultural heritage, Geographical Information Systems, Historic Preservation, Restoration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The last achievements of technologies in geomatics especially in survey and restitution of 3D models (UAV/drones andlaser scanner technologies) generated new procedures and higher standards of quality in representation of archaeological sites. Together with Geomatics, the recent development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) strongly contribute to document and the Cultural Heritage (CH). The representation and documentation of CH using these new technologies has became necessary in orderto satisfy different needs: -for restorers in order to acquire a deep knowledge of the cultural good and to define possible strategiesof restoration; -for the conservation of information, allowing to preserve the 3D geometry of the monumental complex with the integration of descriptions about architectural elements; -for touristic aims, giving the opportunity of sharing CH information on web, allowing users to visit and explore, in a virtual way,monumental complexes, acquiring information details about architectural elementsorthe history of monumental complex. Looking through these new scenarios, the development of a 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) applied to a cultural good could be,today,an added value of fundamental importance for full description and data managementof monumental complexes. In this work,the main features necessary for the correct construction of a 3D GIS of a monumental complex will be analyzed, with a particular focus on the possibilities for creating a standardized procedure to follow.
2016
Scianna, Andrea; Guardi, Marcello La; Scaduto, Maria Laura
Definition of a Workflow for Web Browsing of 3D Models in Archaeology Journal Article
In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), vol. 10059 LNCS, pp. 41–52, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Archaeological Site, Cultural heritage, Historic Preservation, Virtual Reality, WebGL
@article{sciannaDefinitionWorkflowWeb2016a,
title = {Definition of a Workflow for Web Browsing of 3D Models in Archaeology},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Marcello La Guardi and Maria Laura Scaduto},
editor = { Ioannides M. Rajcic V. Hagedorn-Saupe M. Fresa A. Fink G. Moropoulou A. Liestol G. Grussenmeyer P.},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-48974-2_6},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)},
volume = {10059 LNCS},
pages = {41--52},
publisher = {Springer Verlag},
abstract = {The Cultural Heritage (CH) is a fundamental element of promotion of territories and of tourism development. Publishing 3D models of archaeological sites and their three-dimensional reconstruction on the Web is one of the best ways to spread their knowledge. However, many recent scientific researches in this field have highlighted the limitations and difficulties related to the networking of interactive 3D models. The main difficulties are related to the complexity and the size of models, which influence the access speed, and the cost of software and hardware needed for the publication on the WEB. In light of this background, this article describes the further advances of research activities carried out at GISLAB CNR-UNIPA for creating interactive 3D models of archaeological sites, accessible and navigable with a Web browser, fully compliant with HTML5. This system includes also the surrounding landscape, essential to analyze and understand the close relationship between human settlements and the surrounding geographical contexts. Such models don't need specific app for navigation but are accessible on the WEB via the WebGL open source libraries, compliant with the most popular Web browsers (Firefox, Safari and Chrome). The system consists of a headboard multimedia platform tested on Mokarta archaeological site (Trapani, Sicily). The user can explore the 3D model of the archaeological site in its current state, its virtual reconstruction, and the historical documentation. This application has highlighted the great potential and the limits of the sharing of complex 3D models via the Web, opening new scenarios for the purpose of valorization of the archaeological heritage through the use of effective technologies and reduction of costs, opening new themes of further research. This experimentation is also a real example of an open data application. textcopyright Springer International Publishing AG 2016.},
keywords = {Archaeological Site, Cultural heritage, Historic Preservation, Virtual Reality, WebGL},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Cultural Heritage (CH) is a fundamental element of promotion of territories and of tourism development. Publishing 3D models of archaeological sites and their three-dimensional reconstruction on the Web is one of the best ways to spread their knowledge. However, many recent scientific researches in this field have highlighted the limitations and difficulties related to the networking of interactive 3D models. The main difficulties are related to the complexity and the size of models, which influence the access speed, and the cost of software and hardware needed for the publication on the WEB. In light of this background, this article describes the further advances of research activities carried out at GISLAB CNR-UNIPA for creating interactive 3D models of archaeological sites, accessible and navigable with a Web browser, fully compliant with HTML5. This system includes also the surrounding landscape, essential to analyze and understand the close relationship between human settlements and the surrounding geographical contexts. Such models don't need specific app for navigation but are accessible on the WEB via the WebGL open source libraries, compliant with the most popular Web browsers (Firefox, Safari and Chrome). The system consists of a headboard multimedia platform tested on Mokarta archaeological site (Trapani, Sicily). The user can explore the 3D model of the archaeological site in its current state, its virtual reconstruction, and the historical documentation. This application has highlighted the great potential and the limits of the sharing of complex 3D models via the Web, opening new scenarios for the purpose of valorization of the archaeological heritage through the use of effective technologies and reduction of costs, opening new themes of further research. This experimentation is also a real example of an open data application. textcopyright Springer International Publishing AG 2016.
2014
Scianna, Andrea; Gristina, Susanna; Paliaga, Silvia
Experimental BIM Applications in Archaeology: A Work-Flow Journal Article
In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), vol. 8740, pp. 490–498, 2014.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Archaeological Site, BIM, Semantic Web
@article{sciannaExperimentalBIMApplications2014a,
title = {Experimental BIM Applications in Archaeology: A Work-Flow},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Susanna Gristina and Silvia Paliaga},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-13695-0},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)},
volume = {8740},
pages = {490--498},
publisher = {Springer Verlag},
abstract = {In the last few decades various conceptual models, methods and techniques have been studied to allow 3D digital access to Cultural Heritage (CH). Among these is BIM (Building Information Modeling): originally built up for construction projects, it has been already experimented in the CH domain, but not enough in the archaeological field. This paper illustrates a framework to create 3D archaeological models integrated with databases using BIM. The models implemented are queryable by the connection with a Relational Database Management System and sharable on the web. Parametric solid and semantic models are integrated with 3D standardized database models that are finally manageable in the public cloud. The BIM application's work-flow here described has been experimented on the Roman structures inside the Crypt of St. Sergius and Bacchus Church (Rome). The experiment has highlighted capabilities and limitations of BIM applications in the archaeological domain. textcopyright Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.},
keywords = {Archaeological Site, BIM, Semantic Web},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In the last few decades various conceptual models, methods and techniques have been studied to allow 3D digital access to Cultural Heritage (CH). Among these is BIM (Building Information Modeling): originally built up for construction projects, it has been already experimented in the CH domain, but not enough in the archaeological field. This paper illustrates a framework to create 3D archaeological models integrated with databases using BIM. The models implemented are queryable by the connection with a Relational Database Management System and sharable on the web. Parametric solid and semantic models are integrated with 3D standardized database models that are finally manageable in the public cloud. The BIM application's work-flow here described has been experimented on the Roman structures inside the Crypt of St. Sergius and Bacchus Church (Rome). The experiment has highlighted capabilities and limitations of BIM applications in the archaeological domain. textcopyright Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.
2011
Scianna, Andrea; Villa, Benedetto
GIS APPLICATIONS IN ARCHAEOLOGY Journal Article
In: ARCHEOLOGIA E CALCOLATORI, vol. 22, pp. 337–363, 2011, ISSN: 1120-6861.
BibTeX | Tags: Archaeological Site, Geographical Information Systems
@article{sciannaGISAPPLICATIONSARCHAEOLOGY2011a,
title = {GIS APPLICATIONS IN ARCHAEOLOGY},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Benedetto Villa},
issn = {1120-6861},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {ARCHEOLOGIA E CALCOLATORI},
volume = {22},
pages = {337--363},
keywords = {Archaeological Site, Geographical Information Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2004
Scianna, Andrea; Villa, Benedetto; Ammoscato, Alessio; Corsale, Rita
Multimedia Guide in Archaeological Sites by GIS-GPS Techniques, Pocketpcs and Pocket GPSs Proceedings Article
In: International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 2004.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Archaeological Site, Geographical Information Systems
@inproceedings{sciannaMultimediaGuideArchaeological2004a,
title = {Multimedia Guide in Archaeological Sites by GIS-GPS Techniques, Pocketpcs and Pocket GPSs},
author = { Andrea Scianna and Benedetto Villa and Alessio Ammoscato and Rita Corsale},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-01-01},
booktitle = {International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives},
volume = {35},
publisher = {International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing},
abstract = {Archaeology is one of the sectors that can benefit by new surveying techniques (i.e. those ones related to the use of GPS) for the representation and the management of an archaeological site. Another aspect of the archaeological sector that can take advantage from the use of both GPS and GIS instruments is guided visits of archaeological sites. Today, during visits in museums, visitors often use some electronic equipments as sound players, special headsets or personal computers equipped with multimedia applications. All this is possible because archaeological goods are in a relatively small covered area, where there are also people that can help the visitor at every time. On the opposite, about visiting open archaeological sites, some other problems or needs come out connected to the big dimension of the area, to the scattered distribution of archaeological goods and to meteorological conditions. So enjoying the site with traditional electronics equipment become impossible. On the contrary both Pocket GPSs and PocketPCs, connected together, May be very useful if used for multimedia guided visits of archaeological sites. This paper treats of the creation of a GIS multimedia guide running on PocketPC connected to a Pocket GPS by the Bluetooth interface, developed with Enhanced Visual Basic. The system is in the testing stage in some archaeological sites in Sicily. textcopyright 2004 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. All Rights Reserved.},
keywords = {Archaeological Site, Geographical Information Systems},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Archaeology is one of the sectors that can benefit by new surveying techniques (i.e. those ones related to the use of GPS) for the representation and the management of an archaeological site. Another aspect of the archaeological sector that can take advantage from the use of both GPS and GIS instruments is guided visits of archaeological sites. Today, during visits in museums, visitors often use some electronic equipments as sound players, special headsets or personal computers equipped with multimedia applications. All this is possible because archaeological goods are in a relatively small covered area, where there are also people that can help the visitor at every time. On the opposite, about visiting open archaeological sites, some other problems or needs come out connected to the big dimension of the area, to the scattered distribution of archaeological goods and to meteorological conditions. So enjoying the site with traditional electronics equipment become impossible. On the contrary both Pocket GPSs and PocketPCs, connected together, May be very useful if used for multimedia guided visits of archaeological sites. This paper treats of the creation of a GIS multimedia guide running on PocketPC connected to a Pocket GPS by the Bluetooth interface, developed with Enhanced Visual Basic. The system is in the testing stage in some archaeological sites in Sicily. textcopyright 2004 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. All Rights Reserved.