TOUCHWELL. A Project to Make Archaeological Museum Collections Accessible for the People’s Care and Wellbeing

TOUCHWELL - Archaeological museum collections for the people’s care and wellbeing project financed by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) within the framework of PNRR research projects of relevant national interest - aims to develop knowledge, digital technologies and tools to promote the cognitive, physical and sensory accessibility of the archaeological heritage within a cultural welfare system, providing data on the impacts that culture can have on people’s and societies wellbeing and health, in a holistic and salutogenic perspective. TOUCHWELL is proposed to make archaeological museum collections accessible exploiting the evocative power of exhibits and archaeological specimens. To stimulate memory and shared individual and collective narratives, the project utilises digital technologies for the 3D acquisition of archaeological specimens. The physical reproductions of the archaeological specimens are created both with additive manufacturing and with traditional artisanal technologies. Tests are carried out in hospitals, day care centers and residences of people with disabilities and frailty.