Storying wild landscapes: multimodal interactions with digital app-based heritage

Smith, T. A., Dunkley, R. A. and Jones, S. (2022) Storying wild landscapes: multimodal interactions with digital app-based heritage. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 28(7), pp. 803-819. (doi: 10.1080/13527258.2022.2086154)

Abstract

Digital interpretation in wild and remote landscapes is hugely challenging, yet offers enormous potential for widening access to heritage in these settings. We provide a critical evaluation of the Walking with Romans app, developed by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, to interpret two Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Y Pigwn Roman marching camp and Waun Ddu Fortlet (c. AD78). Analysis of digital interpretation has paid less attention to social and multimodal interactions, the spatial experience of digital technologies, and the challenges of achieving successful visits at remote sites. We explore how visitor talk responds to interpretive content while also accomplishing everyday social interactions, such as demonstrating togetherness, by analysing video footage from visits. We find that visitors do a considerable amount of shared work to interpret archaeological features, including the use of talk and other multimodal resources of embodied conduct and the app itself. Visitors demonstrate that terrain underfoot is an important resource for interpreting features and remembering earlier interpretive content. Heritage interpreters could consider how everyday sociability and subtle responses to landscape and terrain are woven into the experience of interpreting landscapes to enhance visitors’ experiences of outdoor heritage sites.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Digital heritage, multimodal, social interaction, remote landscapes, Roman archaeology.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dunkley, Dr Ria
• Authors: Smith, T. A., Dunkley, R. A., and Jones, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith
• Journal Name: International Journal of Heritage Studies
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1352-7258
• ISSN (Online): 1470-3610
• Published Online: 07 June 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Thomas Aneurin Smith, Ria Ann Dunkley and Suzanna Jones
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Heritage Studies 28(7): 803-819
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy