Digital reconstructions of ancient polychromy on marble and stone surfaces: what the community expects and how it is achieved

Digital reconstructions of ancient polychromy on marble and stone surfaces are increasingly used in research, conservation, and heritage communication. Despite their growing adoption, persistent methodological questions remain concerning accuracy, interpretive transparency, and the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). This study explores professional perspectives through a two-phase expert survey: the first administered in person during the 12th Round Table on Polychromy at the Getty Museum (November 2024), and the second conducted online between May and July 2025. In total, 55 responses were collected from specialists working in archaeology, conservation, digital heritage, and museum practice. Findings reveal a strong consensus on the analytical and communicative value of 3D reconstructions, coupled with growing interest in AI-assisted methods for predictive modeling and hypothesis generation. However, respondents emphasized ethical concerns, the need for domain-specific training, and transparency in distinguishing documented from hypothetical elements. Current tools were criticized for difficulties in simulating pigment behavior and a lack of collaborative features, alongside requests for automated pigment detection, integration of historical data, and user-friendly interfaces. Expectations for realism varied: while some favored strict philological adherence, most preferred high-detail reconstructions with interpretive flexibility. These findings underline the importance of interdisciplinary standards, metadata-rich visualizations, and shared workflows in aligning technological innovation with scholarly rigor and conservation ethics.