International Guidelines for Virtual Archaeology: The Seville Principles

Abstract

Computer-based visualisation of cultural heritage, like the concept virtual archaeology, is something very new. Nevertheless in the last 10 years, different groups of experts have worked in the elaboration of standards and recommendations devoted specifically to the field of ICT and cultural heritage. Since its creation in 2008, the Spanish Society of Virtual Archaeology (SEAV) is working in this direction, thanks to the collaboration of hundreds of researchers worldwide. One of our main objectives has been to establish principles and criteria for measuring the quality of projects carried out in the field of virtual archaeology. After 4 years of hard work, we can proudly present the results obtained. These results are now part of the document called Seville Principles (International Principles of Virtual Archaeology). Their fundamental theoretical foundations are based on interdisciplinarity, purpose, complementarity, authenticity, historical rigour, efficiency, scientific transparency, training and evaluation.