The use of new technologies in the presentation and analysis of ceramics of the Aegean Collection in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence

The Aegean Collection of Florence is only partially exhibited to the public, being mostly kept in the storerooms of the Archaeological Museum. Such a rich and impressive collection, however, can still be shown to those not within the Museum and made equally available to researchers and the general public through different scientific, technological and data processing methodologies. Our focus is not only on simple interactive and virtual applications, but also on diagnostic analyses and traditional restoration. The combination of these approaches leads to new perspectives in archaeology and allows for a deeper knowledge of the ancient Aegean objects and the context of their production. In this paper we deal with some specific analyses for obtaining new data about ceramic samples: traditional and virtual restoration, diagnostic analyses, three-dimensional digitalization, and virtual application within an interactive museum (MUSINT). Diagnostic analyses allow us to report useful data about the ancient pigments used on the ceramic surface to obtain specific chromatic effects. Virtual technologies and, in particular, digital restoration, are useful methodologies that allow manipulation and study of the ancient ceramics without direct contact with them. Moreover, virtual restoration allows for the visualization and interpretation of the original shape and full decorative pattern of an ancient object, providing detailed interpretive information about its original condition.