A Survey of Immersive Technologies in Cultural Heritage

Constanza Fiorella Duarte Petti; Annachiara Guerra; Angelo Lorusso; Michele Pellegrino; Domenico Santaniello

doi:10.5334/jcaa.274

A Survey of Immersive Technologies in Cultural Heritage

Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology

Volume 9 (2026): Issue 1

By: Constanza Fiorella Duarte Petti , Annachiara Guerra , Angelo Lorusso , Michele Pellegrino and Domenico Santaniello

Open Access

|Oct 2026

Abstract

In recent years, cultural heritage research has increasingly embraced digital innovation to address challenges related to preservation, accessibility and public engagement. Among the most promising approaches, immersive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), have gained traction for their ability to transform how audiences experience and interact with history. This systematic mapping study provides a comprehensive overview of academic literature on the use of immersive technologies in serious games, digital storytelling and interactive applications centered on cultural heritage. The aim is to clarify current practices, identify knowledge gaps and guide future interdisciplinary collaboration across game studies, digital humanities and cultural institutions. The systematic literature review (SLR) of peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Scopus and Web of Science was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Findings reveal three dominant areas of application: education, historical preservation and public engagement. The study contributes by offering a structured synthesis of trends, challenges and opportunities, demonstrating how immersive technologies, particularly when combined with AI, can foster inclusive, engaging and sustainable cultural heritage experiences for diverse audiences.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/jcaa.274 | Journal eISSN: 2514-8362

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Language: English

Page range: 329 - 347

Submitted on: Feb 23, 2026

Accepted on: Aug 9, 2026

Published on: Oct 1, 2026

Published by: Ubiquity Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Gamification,

Cultural Heritage,

Artificial Intelligence,

Digital Storytelling

© 2026 Constanza Fiorella Duarte Petti, Annachiara Guerra, Angelo Lorusso, Michele Pellegrino, Domenico Santaniello, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 9 (2026): Issue 1