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Digit·HVM. Revista Digital d’Humanitats May 2004 ISSN: 1575-2275 No. 6 /digithum Article Archaeology, museums and virtual reality /humfil/articles/eng/pujol0304/pujol0304.pdf Laia Pujol Digit·HVM. Revista Digital d’Humanitats May 2004 ISSN: 1575-2275 No. 6 Article Archaeology, museums and virtual reality* /humfil/articles/cat/pujol0304/pujol0304.pdf Laia Pujol Abstract This article looks at the idea that the virtual archaeological reconstructions seen in museums cannot be considered Virtual Reality (VR) as they are based on an artistic conception of the discipline. The cause is to be found in the ori- gins of Archaeology, which began in the 18th century and was closely linked to the History of Art. In the era of New Technologies, this concept has become both the cause and the consequence: determining the characteristics of VR from within the discipline, whilst simultaneously reinforcing the virtual reconstructions. To assess the relationship between VR and Archaeology, we must first establish a definition of Virtual Reality. Subse- quently, we can take a brief look at the history so as to be able to understand the evolution of Archaeology and muse- ums. This leads us to the analysis of some examples of VR in museums, from which we can gain conclusions on the current use of VR. Finally, we look at the possibilities for VR in terms of publicising Archaeology. Keywords virtual archaeological reconstructions, virtual reality, museums, Archaeology ed the trends begun with the new museography that, since the Introduction last third of the 20th century, has looked to transform the Victo-