Digital Archiving and Process Management in the Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites

Silke Jantos,C Sebastian Sommer

doi:10.11141/ia.58.4

Abstract

Over the last two decades, technical progress for archaeology within the Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites (BLfD) underwent rapid development. It began with the establishment of an information system (FIS) where the workflow of the Department of Archaeological Heritage is mapped. The next step consisted of standardisation of data capture for all institutions and companies undertaking excavation. In response, a homogeneous data model was developed and established through the application ExcaBook. In order to guarantee this solution would be used widely, an Importer was created to import data from other databases or applications. Hereafter it is also planned to process data from restoration and conservation projects, using a similar approach in order to work towards improving data exchange between all related sciences.

Highlights

Kaltenthaler and Lohrer began to develop an archaeological excavation database, with a data model adapted to the requirements of archaeological heritage management (Figure 3)
A major advantage of ExcaBook is the ability to synchronise projects from different computers or servers, which enables co-workers within a project to capture and combine data - e.g. field data and office data - at the same time. This web-based data exchange improves scientific evaluation and retrieval of crucial data, and ensures digital data is safely stored in a data processing service centre, on a managed server with 24-hour access
As soon as the importer is completed, it will be possible for all companies to store their data within ExcaBook

Summary

Over the last two decades, technical progress for archaeology within the Bavarian State Department of Monuments and Sites (BLfD) underwent rapid development. It began with the establishment of an information system (FIS) where the workflow of the Department of Archaeological Heritage is mapped. A homogeneous data model was developed and established through the application ExcaBook. In order to guarantee this solution would be used widely, an Importer was created to import data from other databases or applications. Hereafter it is planned to process data from restoration and conservation projects, using a similar approach in order to work towards improving data exchange between all related sciences

Need for Digital Archiving

Data Import from Different Databases into ExcaBook

Perspective