Contemplative Digital Rooms for Living With Nature in Archaeological Places

The research explores cognitive and sensorial experiences in archaeological sites within natural contexts, retracing Grand Tour traveler’s romantic vision. The scope of research is enhancing the relationships between archaeological ruins and nature, rediscovering a more authentic bond between humans and the environment, where technology supports a transformative encounter with cultural and natural heritage. The methodological approach employs a gesture-guided analysis of user behaviours across three scenarios, supported by case studies. The investigation examines how mobile applications for outdoor archaeological heritage influence visitor interactions with surrounding landscapes, transcending purely technological perspectives by identifying patterns and behavioural trends from application use. Analysis reveals three ‘gestural’ themes that highlight different digital content engagement methods in archaeological contexts, illustrating technology’s impact on heritage encounters. The findings identify passive risks and the need for holistic design approaches that foster meaningful environmental connections. This study contributes to understanding how mobile technology reshapes archaeological landscape encounters.