Let's Spill the BIMs. Reflections on the Potential of BIM Applications in Archaeology

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in applying BIM (Building Information Modeling) technologies to cultural heritage and archaeological sites. These applications are at an early stage for archaeology, but relevant issues clearly arise from the adaptation of BIM, originally intended for AEC, to such a diverse field. To highlight these problems, three case studies from Veneto (Italy) have been examined: two protohistoric burial mounds in perishable material from Padua and Este, and a Roman city gate at Altinum. The paper highlights the main difficulties encountered during the elaboration process, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using this specific tool. The aim is to reflect on the possibilities and reasons for the use of BIM in archaeology, and possibly to start a critical theoretical discussion about it.