Creating Comics for Public Engagement in Roman Aeclanum: Illustrating Ancient History

Abstract

The public outreach at the Roman city of Aeclanum (Mirabella Eclano, Italy) has contributed to local engagement with the archaeological site. Through engagement work for the archaeological park’s open days, and in the local schools, an online suite of materials for enhanced public awareness was created. The project discussed here explored communication—to educate and promote the site—between archaeologists and the public through illustrations, creating a cohesive body of outreach materials through a comic medium. It culminated in a comic book, Vita Romana, for the Aeclanum archaeological park, and supplemental learning materials which have since acquired new utility in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This chapter will discuss project aims, methodology and outcomes and conclude with reflections on challenges, areas for improvement and spaces for further exploration.