THE PRINCIPLES OF THE SEVILLE CHARTER

Nowadays the worldwide application of computer-based visualisation in the field of archaeological heritage may be described as full of "lights and shadows". The spectacular growth of cultural tourism and the amazing technological advances in recent years have led to the development and implementation of a myriad of projects to investigate, preserve, interpret and present various elements of archaeological heritage using computer-based visualisation. These projects have demonstrated not only the extraordinary potential of computer-based visualisation but also its many weaknesses and inconsistencies. Therefore, there is a clear need for a theoretical debate with practical implications to enable heritage managers to use the best that new technology can offer them in this area while minimizing its most controversial applications. The Spanish Society of Virtual Archaeology (SEAV) is working in this direction thanks to the collaboration of hundreds of researchers worldwide. Thanks to this international effort is currently working on the elaboration of an international document called Seville Charter.