Small collections, great realities: Inquiring into the potential of small museums in promoting prehistoric heritage (examples from Italy)

The strength of small archaeological museums being in their roots in the community and territorial significance makes them an ideal space in forging the heritage value of prehistory. Many of these institutions were created to house artefacts that were collected in the area and are therefore often strategically located in close proximity to the archaeological sites. This geographic connection provides a unique opportunity for the museums to 1) enhance the authenticity of the museum experience by providing immersive visits and tours, 2) tailor initiatives to local schools, community groups and families that can render museum education not only informative but also personally and culturally relevant, and 3) advocate for the preservation of archaeological sites. This work cites examples in which such dynamics are represented, as well as how a so-called ‘psychological distance’ is manifested in small museum contexts where this potential is overlooked.