Written Documents, Photos, and Cultural Artifacts

Abstract

This chapter illustrates secondary sources of data, such as modern and ancient written documents and cultural artifacts. These secondary sources may supplement primary or other secondary sources of data. For example, historical written documents such as survey reports are usually associated with historical maps or sketches of the surveyed area and may be fundamental to a better understanding of the cultural, technical, and social context of a particular cartographic product. And, as with most maps, the purpose of creating the map and definitions/criteria for the features mapped are contained in separate written documents. In this chapter, a brief history of photography is presented as it guides the researcher to when and what type of photographs may be found and used. Historical photos are used especially in the application of the repeat photography technique, described in the chapter as well. Finally, the use of painting and other cultural artifacts is described, also by mean of some examples.