Villa Adriana in Tivoli: a method of survey for archaeological heritage

The complex of Villa Adriana at Tivoli is an outstanding archaeological site for its extension and articulation as well as for its state of conservation and originality. It is a sort of synthesis of the Roman genius for construction, providing an interesting review of all typological and construction techniques, from the villa to the theatre, the amphitheatre and the baths. Villa Adriana continues to intrigue and fascinate the scholars analysing its complex functional plan and to challenge the designers called upon to devise preservation works or to plan functional spaces and structures for tourist reception and management. Either operation requires the study, survey and representation of structures and remains. The survey of complex structures like archaeological constructions is performed with techniques based on the integrated use of 3D Laser Scanning, photogrammetry and 3D modeling techniques and photorealistic rendering. These tools allow to obtain complex models that correctly represent the various elements that can then be used for the representation of objects, also with popularization purposes. The models will thus be virtual databases providing for easy consultation by any type of user. Since the diffusion of the information regarding this site for tourist purposes cannot but pass also through the Web, the most effective communication tool of our time, the material has been developed and organized for Web diffusion with a view to granting access to the virtual tourist to a reality of 3D scenarios and models that provide a highly realistic synthesis.