A semantic enrichment approach to linking and enhancing Dunhuang cultural heritage data

Abstract

The potential of rich semantic contents in Cultural Heritage (CH) data has not been fully realised for Digital Humanities (DH) research. Barriers to effective access to and integration of digital resources have contributed to creating discrete data silos and insufficient exposure of the semantic conditions for contextualising data. Semantic enrichment is a datafication strategy that applies semantic techniques to enhance the value of data. Using the Digital Dunhuang Project as a case study, this chapter provides an overview of why and how semantic enrichment can be employed in CH data enhancement as a basis for the construction of DH research infrastructure. To achieve this, we describe how the knowledge of domain experts and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology were combined to construct the Dunhuang Mural Thesaurus (DMT). Then, we describe the techniques of semantic analysis, linking and augmentation in order to publish the data as linked open data (LOD)-DMT to support the cultural study of Dunhuang, called Dunhuangology. This chapter provides not only a pilot application of the methods and techniques of semantic enrichment but also, a reference for galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs) committed to the construction of DH research infrastructures.