THE METOPES OF SELINUNTE: PRESENTATION OF THE INTERACTIVE CD-ROM

Commission V, WG V/2-4 ABSTRACT: This paper describes the content and the rational of a CD-ROM that brings both the history and the technology enthusiast to a new level of cognition about Western European history. This bilingual (Italian/English) digital document allows the visitor access to historical information about the Metopes of Selinunte and the temples remains that are tributary of a larger and impressive archaeological complex of Selinunte. A straightforward and convivial navigation through the menus provides a multitude of information in the form of video, images, renderings, three-dimensional models created from reality, historical and scientific articles, and texts that cover the many facets of this archaeological site. Features were programmed in Macromedia Director TM to embellish and ease the navigation through the multimedia information that might in some cases frighten novice users of this new type of digital content. Special attention was invested in using spatial information effectively in order to facilitate the understanding of the artefacts displayed in the museum room. A documentary, a backstage movie, a 3D animation, a number of interviews with experts and interactive windows with the virtualized sculptures are fundamental to this rich-media cultural product.