Dissemination in archaeology: a GIS-based StoryMap for Chan Chan

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of exploiting a geographic information system (GIS)-based data management, designed and implemented for an important monumental site. In particular, data collected during the years have been used to create a storytelling experience to disseminate the tangible and intangible heritage of Chan Chan (Peru), the wider site in mud bricks of Latin America. Design/methodology/approach: The paper discusses the steps that have been performed to use the data stored in a GIS, arguing over the importance of sharing the knowledge through web-based tools, and in particular by the implementation of a storytelling. In this context, the data were structured in interoperable forms in order to preserve the universal value of the archaeological site. The exploitation in an all-in-one solution of the archival research, field surveys and planning represents a step forward for let known ancient testimonies to the whole mankind. Findings: The GIS-based inventories represent the backbone for an affordable management of heritage resources. The novelty of the proposed approach lies on the creation of an integrated, accessible and updatable data system sharable on web. Originality/value: The GIS of Chan Chan is an example of documentation of a wide archaeological area (14 km2) with complex and heterogeneous data. The developed web tool makes use of these data which can be queried even by non-expert users. The pipeline of this paper can act as useful guidelines to practitioners and researchers who want to disseminate cultural information.