FotoSAR

FotoSAR Project: " The photographic collection of the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma represents a vast resource that can aid all users in the exploration of historical archeology. The collection includes an extensive archive, accounts relating to the long history of archeological documentation, and a huge resource of images that reproduce a large part of the enormous historical and archeological heritage of Rome and the surrounding area. As a matter of fact, the Soprintendenza has among its tasks, the management and development of all monuments owned by the State and located in Rome. Furthermore, it performs a diffused action of territorial safeguard within the borders of the municipality.

The on line photo archive will contain material to facilitate research; enable conservation, and allow the appreciation and promotion of Rome’s rich archeological heritage. This will be made possible using the resources of historical and contemporary photographic documentation. Moreover, this instrument will allow the streamlining of procedures for the reproduction of photographic material in accordance with the appropriate publishing rights.

Currently, approximately 10 000 photographs of exhibits and excavations are accessible. This figure represents only a small part of the entirety of the Photographic Archive of the Soprintendenza, which consists of approximately 550 000 images on slides and negatives in addition to a vast quantity of printed material that has not been fully registered and placed on the inventory; plus approximately 180 000 glass plates, these resources also provide a fundamental testimony to the history of photography itself.

This source of extensive photographic evidence of the excavations and archeological monuments in Rome will progressively enrich the on line photo archive, which currently contains images of the works exhibited in the state of the Museo Nazionale Romano and the areas and monuments open to the general public. The idea upon which the project is based, is to develope a strong link between Roman archeology and use of the internet, aided by the latest technological innovations including a dedicated plug-in that will facilitate complete navigability within every image.

The archive will provide a virtual gallery, open and accessible to everyone, in which it will be possible to carry out both generic and detailed research. Moreover, the visitor will be able to choose to follow guided paths of images that will deal with differing themes and aspects of the archive’s vast collection, from the various sites of the Museo Nazionale Romano and from the temporary exhibitions organized by the Soprintendenza. "