New technologies are driving rapid change and diversification in public archaeology activities. Archaeologists, particularly in collaboration with local communities for museum exhibitions, excavations, and research projects, have discovered that the use of these technologies brings unprecedented benefits to archaeological processes. Such technologies not only increase the general public's interest in cultural heritage but also strengthen support for its preservation. Concurrently with these developments, archaeological information is being disseminated in various creative ways, primarily through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Utilized in public archaeology events, ICTs used in storytelling contribute to increasing audience engagement and public awareness regarding cultural heritage, as well as boosting interest in the world of archaeology.

The exhibition on the ancient city of Juliopolis and its excavations, recently held at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Ankara, Türkiye), exemplified these new forms of relationship well through its performative environment. Within this context, the Faces of Juliopolis exhibition, which utilizes new digital techniques, storytelling methods, and original stories, is an example of a contemporary exhibition concept. In the exhibition titled Faces of Juliopolis, reconstructions of the faces of people who lived in the ancient city, based on their remains, have been combined with new digital techniques. Using original stories based on historical narratives and various storytelling methods, a contemporary exhibition concept has been brought to life within the museum.

This study discusses the use of ICTs in the context of their impact on the transmission of cultural heritage in terms of new narrative approaches, examining both the implementation details of this exhibition concept and the reflections obtained from museum visitors through interviews following their visit to the exhibition and online surveys administered one and a half months after the exhibition.

First Author: Evren Sertalp

Co-Authors: Erge Bütün, Ali Büyükkarakaya

Keywords:
public archaeology
cultural heritage
information and communication technologies (ICTs)
digital storytelling
Juliopolis
visitor engagement