Infrastructures for Digitisation in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in the Eastern Mediterranean - Programme
Regional STACHEM Workshop on Infrastructures for Digitisation in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in the Eastern Mediterranean
organised by The Cyprus Institute (CyI-STARC, Nicosia) and the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities (MiBAC)
Paestum, XII Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo Archeologico, Centro Espositivo Ariston
20 November 2009
9:30-10:00 | |
Registration | |
10:00 | |
Welcome address | Rossella Caffo (coordinator of the STACHEM work package on Digital Heritage, MiBAC) |
| Kirsi O. Lorentz (STACHEM scientific coordinator, STARC - Cyprus Institute) |
| Marzia Piccininno (MiBAC) |
| Marta Cardillo (MiBAC) |
11:00-13:00 Chair Maria Teresa Natale (MiBAC) | |
Greece | Nestor C. Tsirliganis - George Pavlidis (Cultural and Educational Technology Institute, CETI) Abstract: The advent of digital technologies has opened new horizons in the human contact and exploration of the cultural reserve. A multitude of instruments from the common digital photographic camera to the most advanced and exotic imaging and 3D digitization devices, in combination with simple or intricate software algorithms, databases, geographical information systems, and multimedia and web applications offer today new investigation and documentation possibilities for the thorough and deeper understanding and interpretation of the cultural past. They assist in the assessment of the present state of this Heritage, provide for its management, and support the application of modern technologies for its preservation while offering innovative and alternative ways to ensure its future presence and global accessibility. The Cultural and Educational Technology Institute was founded in 1998, aiming to promote the research in these technologies and exploit their capacity for applications in culture and education. |
Israel | Susan Hazan (Curator of New Media and Head of the Internet Office, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem) Abstract: Is archaeology for archaeologists only? Presenting our archaeological collections chronologically and thematically online allow our visitors to enjoy the breadth and depth of our collections before, or after the museum visit. In addition to the searchable, object-driven environment we also offer more entertaining and experiential platforms for the visitor where they can engage with the collections in a more playful way. This presentation will describe some of the archaeological interfaces developed in the museum for the professional and layman, for the adult user and the young visitor – as we endeavor to make our archaeological collections available for all. |
Italy | Maria Letizia Mancinelli - Antonella Negri (Archaeological Heritage Service, ICCD-MiBAC) Abstract: The Central Institute for Cataloguing and Documentation is a body that deals with Italian cultural heritage cataloguing activities and it’s responsible for the General Catalogue Information System (SIGEC), made for managing through the Web, the acquisition, management and dissemination process of the heritage knowledge data. In particular, there are specific applications that allows the interoperability of alphanumeric, geographical and multimedia information. These tools allow to highlight relations between different typology of cultural heritage and territory. This kind of methodological and working approach is much more valid and useful for archaeological heritage, that needs to be contextualized in historical and territorial background. |
Jordan | Talal Akasheh (CULTECH) Abstract: A combination of 3D scanning, Photogrammetry and Thermal imaging was used to assess the weathering condition of Djin Block No. 9. Non destructive in situ XRF analysis confirms the general results obtained by those techniques. |
| Lebanon | Børre Ludvigsen (Digital Documentation Center at American University of Beirut) Abstract: The mission of the Digital Documentation Center at the American University of Beirut is digitizing scholarly materials in order to make them accessible for scholars and students through the Internet and for digital archival. This presentation gives a brief introduction to the scope of the work done by the DDC since it was established in 1997 and discusses some of the considerations put into ensuring long term sustainability and accessibility of content, some of the techniques used and the cost-benefit tradeoffs involved in its viability. |
| 13:00-14:00 Lunch Break | |
| 14:00-16:00 Chair Marzia Piccininno (MiBAC) | |
| Egypt | Aisha El Ghazzawy (CULTNAT) The Center for Documentation of Natural and Cultural Heritage (PDF, 10741 kb) Abstrac: Egypt's Heritage is of a worldwide interest and importance due to its continuity over a period of more than five thousand years. Cultnat’s mandate is to document the various aspects of Egypt's tangible and intangible cultural heritage as well as its natural heritage. The presentation will give a brief description of two of Culnat’s programs the Archaeological Map of Egypt and Eternal Egypt. The Archaeological Map of Egypt program employs the multi-media in conjunction with GIS technologies to produce a powerful documentation and management tool for Egypt’s archaeological sites. Eternal Egypt program developed and is continuously updating and maintaining a premier website to showcase a selection of Egypt’s treasures and cultural heritage using the state-of-the-art technologies. |
| Turkey | Numan Tuna (Middle East Technical University - Centre for Research and Assessment of Historic Environment, METU- TAÇDAM) Creating digital database for archaeological heritage management in Turkey, TAÇDAM Projects as a case study (PDF, 937 kb) Abstract: The establishment of archaeological database studies in Turkey goes back to early 1960¹s since the joint project launched by the University of Chicago and Istanbul University for the documentation of the inundated areas of dam construction projects in Southeast Turkey. Turkish Ministry of Culture and Turkish Academy of Sciences developed to establish a general standard for core database of cultural heritage with limited success by 2001. However, a standard format and field record had been designed for the field studies to be used in archaeological heritage assessment in digital sense for the first time as a requirement of Baku-Tbilðsi-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline Project (BTC P/L Project), Ilisu Dam Construction Project and several other projects by TAÇDAM. |
| Malta |
Abstract: Malta, although small in size, has a very rich history that dates back centuries. The accession into the EU has enhanced the digitization process of cultural heritage both at a national level and at a local level. Participation in various projects has raised awareness amongst public and private organization on the importance of the digitization of culture. The presentation will focus on the progress made in digitization since becoming an EU member state. |
| Cyprus | Chrysanthi Kounnou (Department of Antiquities, DoA) Digitization Programmes of the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus (PDF, 3440 kb) Abstract: The Department of Antiquities is currently involved in two main digitization projects: «Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme» and «Τhe artifacts of the Enkomi Tombs (British Excavations) in Cyprus: Digitization Programme». The speech will analyze those works. |
| OPEN DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION | |
| 16:30 | |
| END OF THE WORKSHOP | |
Cultural events (Reserved to speakers and foreign guests):
Saturday 21th November morning
Visit and guided tour to the Archaeological Museum and Excavations of Paestum
Scientific Committee
Rossella Caffo (MiBAC)
Franco Niccolucci (STARC, CyI), Chair of the Scientific Committee
Kirsi Lorentz (STARC, CyI), Scientific Coordinator for STACHEM
Marta Cardillo (MiBAC)
Maria Teresa Natale (MiBAC)
Marzia Piccininno (MiBAC)
Organisation Secretariat
Alessandra Stella (MiBAC)
Sara Moretto (MiBAC)
Speaker’s biographies
Dr Nestor C. Tsirliganis received his Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) in 1986 and continued his studies at The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (U.S.A.) from where he received a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Science in 1987 and a Ph.D. Degree in the same field in 1995. In 1999 he took the position of the Head of the Archaeometry Department at the Cultural and Educational Technology Institute (C.E.T.I.) in Xanthi (Greece), position that holds (since 2007 as Research Director) till presently. His present research interests include the applications of nuclear science and new technologies in Archaeometry and in the study, interpretation and dissemination of the Cultural Heritage.
Dr George Pavlidis received his Diploma Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Democritus University of Thrace (Xanthi, Greece) in 1995. He received his PhD degree from the same University, working in the field of digital image processing, earning the distinction of the Ericsson Awards of Excellence in 2005. In 2002 he joined the Cultural and Educational Technology Institute as a special technical scientist in the Multimedia Sector. As of 2006 Dr. Pavlidis is a Researcher at CETI. He is the head of the Multimedia Department and an adjunct lecturer at the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Architectural Engineering of the Democritus University of Thrace. His current research interests involve technologies for analysis, segmentation, compression, transmission and semantic description of digital 2D/3D images as well as multimedia technologies, production of multimedia applications, interactive 3D representations, 3D-GIS and virtual reality.
Dr. Susan Hazan is currently Curator of New Media and Head of the Internet Office at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (since 1992), identifying, and implementing electronic architectures for the gallery, and outreach programs (http://www.imj.org.il ). Her Masters and PhD at Goldsmiths College, University of London in Media and Communications focused on electronic architectures in the contemporary museum. Hazan has been recognized for her numerous publications on new media in education, art, museums and cultural heritage. In 2002-2003 Hazan was visiting lecturer at the Computing Department at Goldsmiths, University of London; teaching Web Design and Critical E-Museology, with an emphasis on the correlation between cultural theory and contemporary practice, and is an annual guest lecture in the Museology Department at Haifa University, Israel (2005-2009). http://www.musesphere.com/about/Susan.Hazan.html .
Maria Letizia Mancinelli works as archaeologist at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities - Central Institute for Cataloguing and Documentation – Archaeological Heritage Service. She wrote several papers in scientific reviews, congress proceedings and seminars, dealing with her own specific sector as well with others institution activities. These activities concern research, definition, experimentation, and diffusion of cataloguing and georeferented cultural heritage tools and methods; collaboration with the didactic area of ICCD; the participation in the ICCD General Cataloguing Information System (SIGEC) working group.
Antonella Negri, graduated in Architecture and specialised in Monument Restoration, worked from 2005 as architect for the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, Regional Directorate for Cultural and Landscape Heritage of Tuscany. Since 2007, she works at the Central Institute for Cataloguing and Documentation. She is also a GIS expert.
Prof. Talal Akasheh holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry. Originally he was specialized in Photochemistry and Photophysics where he has several publications in this area. However he was attracted by the site of Petra in the South Jordan and was converted to the study of the weathering phenomenon that threatens the monuments. He did lot or research on weathering of monuments, and Nabataean painted ceramics While still being affiliated to the Hashemite university where he established Queen Rania Institute for Tourism and Heritage, he is currently on special leave and established CulTech for Archaeology and Conservation, an NGO dealing with Cultural Heritage and its protection. His major work was on the design and implementation of a database and GIS system for Petra monuments, which won him the International Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2008. Website cultech.org
Børre Ludvigsen has been visiting professor and consultant to the Digital Documentation Center at the American University of Beirut since 1997, when he helped establish the center. Professor Ludvigsen manages projects for the DDC on a yearly basis, working at AUB in a 20% capacity. The DDC is a collaborate project between AUB and the Al Mashriq website of Østfold University College in Halden, Norway where Børre Ludvigsen has tenure as professor of information architecture.
Aisha El Ghazzawy received her Bachelor Degree in Egyptology from the American University in Cairo. She is currently working as the Head of the Pharaonic Heritage Unit at the Center for the Documentation of the Cultural and Natural Heritage (Cultnat). She is responsible for the content of the Archaeological Map of Egypt's Program, which covers all the archaeological sites of Egypt. She is also responsible for part of the content of the archaeological themes of Cultnat’s Culturama including the display of Dendara Temple, Opet Festival, Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple. (CULTURAMA is an innovative panoramic interactive display of cultural heritage content on 9 screens using 9 projectors and one single computer)
Numan Tuna is Professor of Settlement Archaeology Program and Director of Centre for Research and Assessment of the Historic Environment (TAÇDAM) at the Middle East Technical University, Ankara. Since 1980 he has been directing a number of archaeological research projects at the classical sites in Turkey. Born in Izmir, 1948. Research interests: Cultural heritage management, settlement archaeology
Cedric Farrugia is a graduate in Communication Studies and Contemporary Mediterranean Studies from the University of Malta. He carries work on different projects related to Digitization of Culture and Digital Libraries in Malta. Amongst such projects one finds, ENTITLE, EuropeanaLocal and I’m Your Guide. Research interest: Digitization of Popular Culture including music, folklore, visual arts and local history.
Chrysanthi Kounnou, M.A (Department of Antiquities, Cyprus) has studied Archaeology and History of Art at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and acquired a MA in Artefact Studies from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.
Since 2007, as a member of the Department of Antiquities, she has directed rescue excavations mostly within the old town of Nicosia, among them the rescue excavation in D’Avilla bastion, as well as in the Larnaka district. She is currently involved with the implementation of «Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme»
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