GIS-based integrated system with Interactive Digital Map for archaeological heritage protection

Abstract

This paper presents the Interactive Digital Map, the main result of an experimental-demonstration research project supported by public funds, won following a national competition. The research project requirements are based on users' and professional archeologists' responses to a survey. The map was planned to support the activity of protecting the archaeological heritage in Romania and to facilitates the access of specialists and the general public to up-to-date information on the archaeological heritage, gathering together in a synthetic form previously unstructured information, different in terms of data quantity and quality, stored in different media and formats (paper, digital, with or without geospatial location) and within several types of institutions without interconnection (ministry of culture / county directorates for culture, museums and research institutes, etc.). The Interactive Digital Map was designed from start to become a key tool for archaeological heritage integrated management facing the increased pressure from contemporary society, whose economic and real estate development needs are often at odds with the protection and conservation activity of the archaeological heritage.