A Comparative Evaluation of Geospatial Semantic Web Frameworks for Cultural Heritage

Ikrom Nishanbaev,Erik Champion,David A Mcmeekin

doi:10.3390/heritage3030048

Ikrom Nishanbaev, Erik Champion + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage3030048

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Journal: Heritage	Publication Date: Aug 12, 2020
Citations: 5	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Curtin University, University of Western Australia

Abstract

Recently, many Resource Description Framework (RDF) data generation tools have been developed to convert geospatial and non-geospatial data into RDF data. Furthermore, there are several interlinking frameworks that find semantically equivalent geospatial resources in related RDF data sources. However, many existing Linked Open Data sources are currently sparsely interlinked. Also, many RDF generation and interlinking frameworks require a solid knowledge of Semantic Web and Geospatial Semantic Web concepts to successfully deploy them. This article comparatively evaluates features and functionality of the current state-of-the-art geospatial RDF generation tools and interlinking frameworks. This evaluation is specifically performed for cultural heritage researchers and professionals who have limited expertise in computer programming. Hence, a set of criteria has been defined to facilitate the selection of tools and frameworks. In addition, the article provides a methodology to generate geospatial cultural heritage RDF data and to interlink it with the related RDF data. This methodology uses a CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM) ontology and interlinks the RDF data with DBpedia. Although this methodology has been developed for cultural heritage researchers and professionals, it may also be used by other domain professionals.

Highlights

In recent years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become a popular technology for cultural heritage (CH) researchers and professionals
According to recent research findings by Schmachtenberg, et al [8], who analyzed the adoption of Linked Open Data (LOD) best practices, including interlinking, in different domains such as media and life sciences, 44% of published LOD datasets are not linked to any other datasets
According to recent research findings by Schmachtenberg, Bizer, and Paulheim [8], who analyzed the adoption of LOD best practices including interlinking in different domains such as media, life sciences, geographic, etc., 44% of published LOD

Summary

Introduction

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become a popular technology for cultural heritage (CH) researchers and professionals. One reason for this is the enormous possibilities of GIS, such as their ability to capture, manage, analyze, and visualize all forms of spatio-temporal data, including 3D geospatial data. Semantic Web and the Geospatial Semantic Web. In recent years, GIS has become an important technology that has transformed the way CH professionals conduct research and perform applied projects. The Geospatial Semantic Web is a major change that evolved after the introduction of the Semantic Web. The Semantic Web provides a set of best practices for publishing and interlinking structured data on the Web, known as Linked Data [3]. The RDFS and the OWL provide a modelling language to develop ontologies and vocabularies that can be used in the Semantic Web to describe entities in the world and the relationships between these entities [3,12]

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