A Digital Twin for Altera Capua

The VETEREA project was created with the aim of building an advanced digital twin that connects the modern city of Santa Maria Capua Vetere with its ancient counterpart, Capua Vetere, once known as “Altera Roma”, the second most important city of the Roman Empire. This innovative Phygital Reality (PR) model leverages emerging technologies to bridge the gap between past and present, combining physical and digital elements for an immersive experience of the submerged archaeological heritage. 

The area of Santa Maria C.V. is characterized by a vast buried historical heritage, often inaccessible due to urban and private constraints. The project utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Virtual (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to digitally reconstruct archaeological sites, allowing visitors and scholars to explore the ancient city through interactive experiences. Thanks to Digital Storytelling, VETEREA not only revives the historical memory of Capua Vetere but also fosters the engagement of local communities and tourists, making the past more accessible and enjoyable. 

Role of SPICI

 
SPICI, through its Officina Digitale division, plays a key role in the technological development of the VETEREA project. The main activities include: 

Scouting and implementation of AR/VR technologies for the digital reconstruction of the archaeological site; 

Design and creation of the Digital Twin, an interactive virtual replica of ancient Capua Vetere; 

Development of applications based on Virtual and Augmented Reality for immersive heritage experiences; 

Creation of AI/ML predictive models to enhance the accessibility and interpretation of archaeological data; 

Testing and optimization of digital solutions to ensure a high-quality user experience; 

Organization of workshops and co-design meetings with experts, citizens, and institutions for a participatory enhancement of cultural heritage. 

Funding 
The project is funded by SISSA as part of the iNEST innovation ecosystem, a strategic initiative for the development of new technologies applied to the enhancement of cultural heritage.