In Sardinia the first Italian hub of AI for archaeology

The first international hub dedicated to artificial intelligence applied to archaeology was born in Sardinia. It is called AI Archeo-HUB, and has a particular focus on the enhancement of the island's Nuragic heritage. The project, the result of a collaboration between the association La Sardegna verso l'Unesco, the University of Cagliari, the University of Sassari and Duke University in the United States, is intended as a permanent and interdisciplinary laboratory that combines advanced research, international training and involvement of the local community. The center aims to develop artificial intelligence models capable of automatically classifying artifacts, creating detailed virtual reconstructions of Nuragic architectural structures and predicting new archaeological sites yet to be discovered. Furthermore, the inventorying and cataloguing of existing sites will be able to make use of remote sensing and machine learning techniques, thus accelerating the analysis and conservation of the heritage.

The potential of artificial intelligence in this field is multiple and fascinating: from the analysis of satellite images and drones to identify hidden settlements , to the deciphering of ancient codes and hieroglyphics , to the creation of augmented reality scenarios in which archaeologists and visitors can immerse themselves in the daily life of ancient Nuragic civilizations, accompanied by historical avatars. These technologies not only facilitate research, but also broaden cultural enjoyment, allowing immersive and participatory experiences both in person and remotely.

Maurizio Forte , director of Duke University's Dig@Lab , defined the project as "an ambitious and stimulating challenge", underlining how AI Archeo-HUB intends to create an innovative research and training model , capable of defining new standards in the archaeological sector and offering cutting-edge tools for the valorization of Sardinian cultural heritage. Forte also highlighted the importance of training young researchers at an international level, thanks to scholarships that he hopes to award soon.

Pierpaolo Vargiu , president of the association La Sardegna verso l'Unesco, proudly expressed the importance of the project for the island: “The first Italian ArcheoHub on artificial intelligence was born in Sardinia with the aim of increasing scientific knowledge and the narration of the Nuragic civilization. This can change the perception of our Island in the collective imagination of the world, multiplying its development opportunities. Thanks to new technologies and challenges related to innovation, we are giving life to an extraordinary experiment of international collaboration that is already capturing the attention of experts from all over the world and testifies to the potential of the ancient Sardinian civilization as a central asset for the economic development of Sardinia”.

The rectors of the two Sardinian universities involved also underlined the cultural and scientific importance of the project. Francesco Mola, rector of the University of Cagliari , stated that “artificial intelligence represents a very broad cultural theme, on which the University must be present”, while Gavino Mariotti, rector of the University of Sassari , highlighted how AI Archeo-HUB represents “the element of coincidence between research and valorization of a symbolic asset of Sardinia such as the nuraghi”.

Among the short-term initiatives of the international hub are the creation of an international summer school dedicated to artificial intelligence applied to Nuragic archaeology , the creation of an updated digital inventory of nuraghes and a neuro-cognitive study on Nuragic architecture and art. The project also aims to strengthen cultural tourism, with positive effects on the local economy, enhancing museums, archaeological sites, cultural routes and the unique landscape of Sardinia.