Recreating Historical Landscapes: Implementation of Digital Technologies inArchaeology. Case Study of Rab, Croatia

A relatively recent and negative phenomenon of rapid and extensive transformation of the eastern Adriatic coast has annihilated much of its historical landscape, often resulting in total negation of the original context of the monuments, sometimes even in their destruction. Contemporary remote sensing technologies and non-invasive methods of digital scanning of the landscape, sites and particular monuments enable us to reconstruct and preserve them at least virtually, with precise and interactive 3D models suitable either for further scientific research or their presentation to the general public. Once digitized, the material becomes easy to suit personalized needs and easy to distribute, whilst the current condition of the monuments is permanently documented and stored even in the case of their further degradation or devastation. This paper presents the results of an interdisciplinary project of the reconstruction of the historical landscape of the island of Rab, Croatia. An international team of archaeologists and art historians has paired traditional methodologies with the implementation of advanced digital technologies, enabling the creation of a relevant model of development based on the island's historical landscape throughout two millennia. Such integration of two approaches presents a valuable resource in scientific research and a significant step forward in the process of rediscovering and reconstructing the original context of the monuments, and, on the other hand, enables decision makers to develop the landscape without annihilating its historical value.