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This paper examines the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and neuroaesthetic methodologies in archaeology, museum collections and art history. It introduces the concept of the AI multiverse, which allows archaeologists and social scientists to construct multiple plausible reconstructions of ancient environments and cultural practices, addressing the inherent uncertainties in archaeological data. Generative AI tools create simulations and visualizations that redefine traditional archaeological frameworks by incorporating multivocal and dynamic interpretations. The study also integrates visual thinking strategies (VTSs), eye tracking and saliency map analyses to investigate how structured observation enhances cognitive and emotional engagement with visual artifacts. A case study involving the painting My Mother, She Fell From the Sky highlights the impact of VTS on guiding viewers’ gaze and improving interpretive depth, as evidenced by heatmaps and saliency distribution.
Maurizio Forte (2025) studied this question.