Public Archaeology in Marginal Contexts: The Case of Sant’Angelo in Vado (Italy)

The team from the University of Macerata reflects on the utilization of cultural heritage and archaeology in a modest territorial context, focusing on a small ancient site that has undergone stratigraphic excavation for over twenty years. This work aims to foster the development of local identity and collective knowledge. The study highlights the numerous public archaeology initiatives undertaken over the past three years, despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic. These initiatives include site visits, public meetings and debates, storytelling, and artistic performances, all designed to engage and raise awareness among citizens. The goal is to illustrate that not only prominent archaeological sites, but also smaller, marginal contexts can contribute significantly to the understanding and appreciation of community identity, archaeological heritage, and the promotion of sustainable tourism