An example of the use of Geographical Information Science & Systems in the fields of history & heritage is explained by Maurice de Kleijn in the next video:
Mapping the Via Appia
The use of 3D GIS in archaeology is not yet widespread or well documented. Indeed, 3D GIS in general is still very much in development, challenging the Mapping the Via Appia project to be progressive and innovative. The project has the ambition to establish its own archaeological 3D GIS workflow, taking on an active role in bringing together different parties and disciplines involved in the technological development of 3D GIS, and in transferring the best of their techniques to the archaeological purpose: Mapping.
The Mapping the Via Appia project is an ambitious NWO-supported archaeological project by the Radboud University Nijmegen , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (SPINlab and IGBA), and the Royal Netherlands Institute Rome (KNIR) . At the invitation of the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma, the archaeological service of Rome, the project investigates the fifth and sixth miles of the Via Appia and her hinterland.
The project aims at a thorough inventory and analysis of the Roman interventions in their suburban landscape.1 The investigation focuses on a section of two kilometres that covers parts of the fifth and sixth miles of the Via Appia, supplemented with a research area that covers the hinterland as far as nearly one kilometre northeast and about 2,5 kilometres southwest of the road.2 In order to gain insight into the spatial development and impact in different peri-ods of the Via Appia itself, the surrounding monuments, and the outlying areas, the project consists of several re-search components: inventory of aboveground archaeological objects (architectural ruins); geophysical prospection and remote sensing; excavations; field surveys; and study of historical sources.
The 3D GIS part of Mapping the Via Appia is taken on by SPINlab, the Spatial Information Laboratory of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. On the 19th of April a Mini Conference on 3D GIS for Mapping the Via Appia was organized. Presentations can be downloaded below.
For more information about this project see the following presentation by Maurice de Kleijn https://youtu.be/REgbnO4MdvQ
Please contact Maurice de Kleijn for more information.
Barcin Hoyuk
In contrast to the situation elsewhere, using electronic databases that integrate textual, tabular, visual and cartographical datasets is still relatively uncommon among excavation projects in Turkey and the Near East. The Barcın Höyük project offers an opportunity to begin addressing this lag, initially by creating an AIS for the excavation project itself, and secondly by functioning as an example for other projects.
The Barcın Höyük AIS is developed by the Spatial Information Laboratory Vrije Universiteit in close collaboration with the Netherlands Institute in Turkey. The AIS is aimed to serve several purposes. Firstly, to allow efficient data entry, retrieval and sharing by the researchers involved in the project. In many ways this makes new forms of analysis and collaboration possible. The AIS integrates vectorized excavation plans, pictures of the excavation, artefact and pictures drawings, in a fully integrated complex relational dynamic database, which is aimed to be accessible for all participating researchers during the project making more detailed, contextual analyses become feasible for a specialist, whereas the excavators can benefit from the observations of the specialist regarding the nature of deposits.
A second function of the AIS is to serve as the basis for a full archive of the documentation. The design of the system will be such that, at the completion of the project, the data can be easily converted to digital formats that conform to standards of digital preservation and continued accessibility.
European Waterways Heritage: Re-evaluating European Minor Rivers and Canals as Cultural Landscapes
The context
The presence in many European countries of artificial waterways and connected natural hydrography can be considered a relevant cultural heritage. Characterized by an intrinsic hydraulic complexity, this heritage goes back far in time at least to the Middle Age, develops further during the Renaissance and reaches its maturity during the industrial era. In some cases, this hydraulic network is already a tourist resort; in other cases, it is a hidden potential for sustainable development. Such a precious, historic heritage deserves today a renewed, coordinated commitment to its re-valuation, by considering both the structural hydraulic works (canals, bridges, locks, shipyards, mills, quays) and the historic artefacts in peril (traditional wooden boats).
Aims and objectives of the project and its relevance
The project aims to promote the knowledge and rehabilitation of European historic waterways and rivers cultural heritage. Such a connection between natural and artificial water networks favoured the expansion of urban centres and the development and expansion of trade, thus interacting with flood control strategies and the construction of rural landscapes. It is therefore necessary to develop new, more coordinated strategies to promote memory and identity of river cultures, linking the institutional activities and encouraging the exchange of experiences. Other relevant objective is to develop new opportunities for ecotourism and outdoor recreation along the European waterways, as a driver of sustainable development.
Expected outcomes
Proceedings
Framework
Preliminary SDI: topographical GIS data (GEOPLAZA)
Cultural Historical Data (collected so far)
Storytelling data (CSS):
Preliminary SDI VISUAL: Cultural historical data (GOOGLE MAPS)
Rediscovering Testaccio and SDI for an urban landscape
The Rediscovering Testaccio Spatial Data Infrastructure addresses the need for accessible information to support the management and research of the history and heritage of Testaccio. The project is part of the Challenging Testaccio research project organized by the Royal Dutch Institute in Rome. Features from the past in present cities have been identified as valuable and as potential assets for future urban development. Transferring knowledge about the history and heritage of the urban landscape is considered to be a challenging matter. Because much of this information can be linked to a geographical location, a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) would be a valuable facility in support of their work.
Background Challenging Testaccio Project
Testaccio is an urban district within a stone’s throw from the historical centre of Rome. It houses a number of famous Classical monuments, such as the Cestian Pyramid and the Monte Testaccio. In ancient times the area was the river harbour of the city. In the early 20th century it was covered by blocks of flats, accomodating the labourers, so crucial to Rome’s city development. Modern Testaccio is an urban landscape in flux, which poses major challenges to its built heritage, especially when viewed in its broadest sense, including Classical monuments as well as industrial buildings and ‘palazzi’. How can the tensions between heritage management and urban renewal be resolved? Can history and heritage contribute to sustainable social and economic development? These and other questions are central to the Testaccio project. The project brings together researchers from Italy, the Netherlands and other countries,working, amongst others, on the creation of a Spatial Data Infrastructure, archival research, excavations and urban design. The final aim is to investigate the urban landscape as a palimpsest of closely interwoven histories and to study how these can be integrated into the modern city.
A Digital Cultural Biography App
To test the added value of the SDI developed an experiment was organized by the SPINlab in close collaboration with the Roma Tre Università facoltà di architettura and the KNIR. From the SDI a digital cultural biography app, which is freely available in itunes here, was developed and used during a design concourse by 35 architects. The aim of the experiment was to measure the impact of historical and heritage information generated by past oriented scholars (archaeologists, historians etc.) on more future oriented scholars like urban planners.
The content of the App is gathered by the Royal Dutch Institute in Rome KNIR together with the Spatial Information Laboratory (SPINlab) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (www.spinlab.vu.nl) and Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Roma (SSBAR). The App is developed by the 2CoolMonkeys and the SPINlab. The experiment was sponsored by the Royal Dutch Airlines KLM (www.klm.nl) and il Disegno Testaccio. Researchers involved from Vrije Universiteit: Maurice de Kleijn, Niels van Manen and Gert-Jan Burgers.
The Designs produced during the design concourse can be found here.
| A publication related to Rediscovering Testaccio |
| UMAP 2013 | de Kleijn, M.T.M., van Aart, C., van Manen, N., Burgers, G-J., Scholten, H.J., Testaccio, A Digital Cultural Biography App, in: UMAP 2013 Extended Proceedings of the 21st Conference on User Modeling, Adaptation, and Personalization, Rome, Italy, June 10-14, 2013. |