A Literature Review of User Studies in Extended Reality Applications for Archaeology

In the present study we conducted a systematic review on user studies for Archaeology in eXtended Reality of the last 10 years. After a screening and selection process, 52 articles were selected for an in-depth analysis. Their classification follows different axes: devices, location dependency, type of users, interaction and collaboration. We also organised the existing user studies according to tasks, evaluation measurements, number of participants, and how the study was conducted (pre-test and/or post-test, formative and summative evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data). We found an intertwined relation between Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, which is reflected in the vast presence of applications for museum exhibitions and tours on archaeological sites. Similarities between systems developed for archaeologists and for general public were also investigated. Our purpose was to find a common ground between different user studies that could help designers of the next systems have a base on which they can build their system. We also highlighted which would be the preferred and most suitable evaluation techniques, when they are needed, with the type of users to address. The results show a heterogeneity of measurable variables and possible choices, but some guidelines could be derived.