Purpose - Inspired by a recent museum visit, the present work wished to study the effect of the use of photos in cultural technologies.
Design/methodology/approach - We used ancient museum objects with contemporary photos, showing people performing similar activities in antiquity and today. Qualitative data from interviews were collected and analyzed to study the participant's reflections when they saw the images of ancient objects and contemporary photos.
Findings - Results revealed the importance of contemporary photos and the possibility of including them in cultural heritage technologies since they assist visitors in understanding and reflection processes.
Originality/value - Photos can function as interpretation aids and also allow participants to make multiple connections between past and present, across societies and cultures, between current and prior knowledge, and permit connections to personal experience, leading to the conclusion that critical constructivist approaches take place when people are presented with the two images and meaning-making processes.