Ensuring equitable access to cultural heritage remains a key challenge for digital Research Infrastructures. Within this context, AGLAIA – ARIADNE Glossary in Italian Sign Language (LIS) and International Sign (IS) for Archaeology represents an important initiative led by the ARIADNE Research Infrastructure and developed in collaboration with Prisma Cultura within the framework of the European project ATRIUM.
Presentation of AGLAIA at tourismA with a professional signer
The glossary was presented during the ATRIUM public event held on 27 February 2026 in Florence, within tourismA – International Exhibition of Archaeology, one of Italy’s leading annual gatherings dedicated to archaeology and the communication of cultural heritage.
AGLAIA has been conceived within the international ARIADNE network, which brings together nearly 40 archaeological institutions worldwide. Its objective is to make key archaeological concepts more accessible to deaf audiences by providing a curated and validated terminology in LIS and International Sign. The glossary is designed to support inclusive guided tours, museum interpretation activities, and educational programmes, contributing to more equitable participation in cultural heritage experiences.
The initiative builds on ARIADNE’s extensive expertise in digital infrastructures and collaborative knowledge production. An initial corpus of approximately 200 specialised archaeological terms was identified through contributions from partner institutions across Europe and beyond. From this corpus, a scientific committee selected 50 key concepts, prioritising terms that are general yet conceptually meaningful for public communication in museums and archaeological sites.
The selected terminology was subsequently reviewed by a specialised technical committee including accessibility experts, deaf translators, and sign-language interpreters. Particular attention was paid to the use of International Sign, a dynamic communication system widely employed in international cultural and academic contexts. This methodological approach ensured communicative clarity, terminological coherence, and relevance for diverse audiences.
By integrating accessibility into digital heritage practices, AGLAIA demonstrates how research infrastructures can play a strategic role in fostering inclusive knowledge environments. The initiative offers a scalable and transferable model that cultural institutions and research projects can adopt to strengthen accessibility within their interpretation and outreach strategies.
Video resources presenting the 50 glossary terms are openly available through the ARIADNE Research Infrastructure YouTube channel, allowing cultural professionals, educators, and visitors to access and use the materials at any time.