Digital public archaeology in Italy has grown significantly in recent years through the rise of archaeology blogs and social media use by archaeologists. While archaeobloggers were initially unaware of their role as communicators, they have increasingly networked online and debated topics like digital public outreach. Events and meetings of archaeobloggers have helped develop strategies for online engagement. However, long-term planning and coordination are still needed to fully realize the potential of digital archaeology in Italy.

1. DIGITAL PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY IN ITALY:
what is changing and why it is important
Domenica Pate (@domenica_pate)
Antonia Falcone (@antoniafalcone)
Paola Romi (@OpusPaulicium)
www.professionearcheologo.it @pr_archeologo

2. www.professionearcheologo.it
“The
archaeological
profession”
or
“Profession:
archaeologist”

3. A LOOK BACK
Archaeology and Blogosphere
Archaeology blogs activity in Italy
Marina Lo Blundo

4. 50 Archaeology Blogs Authors
Institutions
Archaeologists
Students
Archaeology enthusiasts
Archaeo-mystery enthusiasts
Multi-subject blogger
Many authors
Author unknown

5. Archaeologist-bloggers were not aware of their role as communicators
There wasn’t a network of archaeologists on line
Lack of debate about Digital Public Archaeology
Content
News Opinions and
Commentaries
Research Communication

6. Pottery in Archaeology
2009
archmed
2006
Men andThings atVignale
2008

7. BLOGS AND
ARCHAEOBLOGGERS
February 2013
February 2013
April 2013
May 2013

8. BLOGS AND
ARCHAEOBLOGGERS
December 2013
October 2014
September 2014
October 2013

9. FIRST REAL LIFE MEETING
XVI Mediterranean Exchange
Of ArchaeologicalTourism
14 November 2013, Paestum
#BMTA2013
#archeoblog

10. “ … archaeology urgently
needs to enter a new phase
of renewal and openness.
And it needs to give itself
new goals and new
challenges that go beyond
research and include
education, the debate on the
profession and, obviously,
communication. ”
Giuliano De Felice
Archaeologists who make writing and talking about
archaeology online part of their daily job
ARCHAEOBLOGGERS:

11. DAY OF ARCHAEOLOGY
2014
27 blog posts by archaeologists working in Italy
14 of them written by archaeobloggers

13. A new category “Italy” is created
Boost of visits from Italy

15. BMTA 2014
XVII Mediterranean Exchange Of
ArchaeologicalTourism
28 October 2014, Paestum
Social media and archaeological heritage.
Archaeoblog: communicating archaeology online

16. Is it possible for archaeoblogging to become a proper
profession?
Do people in charge of online communication for
archaeological institutions need to have an education in
archaeology?
The importance of:
Having a strategy
Measuring your outreach

17. Satiric rendition of the then
undersecretary of state at MiBACT Ilaria
Borletti Buitoni
(Design: Davide Arnesano ; idea:Antonia Falcone)
Strategies For Culture
IWANTYOU
for free tho
#volontarioachi
(volunteertowhom)
#no18maggio
#generazionepro
THE HOT SEASON

18. Night of Professional
Archaeologists
May 18, Rome

19. 500 young people for culture
December 2013

20. #500schiavi (500slaves)
#500no

21. Cultural heritage workers unite
11 January 2014, Pantheon Square, Rome

22. TWITTER AND...
#bellichesiamo (pretty, aren’t we?)
@a_bronzo
@bronzoB
@Chimera_MAF
@Paolina_BB

23. TWITTER AND...
edutainment in 140 characters
#archeofarm
#smallmuseumtour
#archeoaquarium

24. FROM ONLINE TO OFFLINE
AND BACK, 1
Unconventional handbook of real-life archaeology
Ed. Cinzia Dal Maso & Francesco Ripanti (cover art by Francesco Ghizzani Marcìa)
A book and its journey

25. What is it that
archaeologists actually
do?
Is it possible to
imagine new job
opportunities to those
with an archaeological
degree?
Archaeologists can tell their
stories themselves

26. Palazzo Strozzi and MAF, Florence
April 2015
FROM ONLINE TO OFFLINE
AND BACK, II
Archaeoblogtour, anyone?
#bronziFirenze

27. Opening of the archaeological park of Classe Harbour, Ravenna
July 2015

28. Open Day atTemplum Pacis, Rome
July 2015
#dayofarch
#ForumPacis

29. Open Day atTemplum Pacis, Rome
July 2015

30. LIVE, TWEET & LIKE
#ArcheoFest15Communication

31. #ArcheoFest15Sharing

32. #ArcheoFest15Feedback

33. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND?
General agreement on the importance of an online presence
It’s a growing phenomenon, everyone wants to join in
Willingness to raise to the challenge

34. Lack of coordination and long term planning
Lack of specific knowledge about online tools
High mortality rate of new projects
TO INFINITY AND BEYOND?

35. TO INFINITY AND BEYOND?
A lot has changed, still is, and in the end
we’re a hopeful bunch…