Digital Cultural Heritage Research Articles

Analysis of the Digital Dissemination Path of Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Perspective of Grounded Theory

Intangible cultural heritage is a valuable asset of Chinese civilization, playing an indispensable role in shaping cultural confidence and pride. However, in the context of the internet and new media, there has emerged a scenario of cultural inheritance stagnation and financial difficulties. This study collects data from 300 users regarding the digital content of intangible cultural heritage through semi-structured interviews, utilizing NVivo12 software and based on a three-level coding framework of grounded theory. It discusses solutions for the digital dissemination path of culture and builds a model for its dissemination and development. The study finds that user willingness, technical support, dissemination media, and cultural plasticity have significant effects on the digitalization of intangible cultural heritage.

CLEF 2.0. Solutions for Native Linked Data Cataloguing of Italian Digital Cultural Heritage

The Semantic Web had a significant impact on the GLAM domain, where the need to connect knowledge has grown so important that it has sparked numerous crowdsourcing initiatives and collaborative native Linked Open Data cataloguing projects. One of the key challenges in facing these collaborative activities is the heterogeneity of content and levels of expertise among users. While existing solutions can meet several important requirements, developing new features is often affected by the practical use of such platforms in real-world work settings. This article explores novel demands and presents the solution proposed by CLEF 2.0, the native Linked Open Data cataloguing software adopted in various case studies concerning the description of Italian Digital Cultural Heritage.

A Study on the Application of Immersive Virtual Archaeology to Digital Cultural Heritage : Focusing on the Sanxingdui Museum in China

A Study on the Application of Immersive Virtual Archaeology to Digital Cultural Heritage : Focusing on the Sanxingdui Museum in China

Digital Innovation and Cultural Heritage Conservation: The Impact of Low-Cost Technologies in the Valorization of the Medici Villas and their Itineraries

Digital Innovation and Cultural Heritage Conservation: The Impact of Low-Cost Technologies in the Valorization of the Medici Villas and their Itineraries

Virtual collection of butterflies of Ivan Verhratskyi

The article examines the history of the formation of Ivan Verkhratskyi's collection of butterflies - from the first collections to the transfer to the funds of the State Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and digitization. In total, as of now, the collection includes 5,278 units of butterflies collected at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. The work uses generally accepted methods of digitizing naturalistic collections. Digitized samples have been included in the database of the web resource of the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine - Data Center «Biodiversity of Ukraine». As part of the project, 2,060 specimens belonging to 247 species from 18 families of Lepidoptera were digitized. As a result, the availability of digital data of the author's collection for various target audiences is ensured. The priorities of the "Cultural Heritage" competition program were implemented in two directions, namely: digitization of museum objects and digitization of intangible cultural heritage. The Lepidoptera collection of Ivan Verkhratskyі can be used for long-term monitoring of the state of the diversity of butterflies in the region, chronological analysis of changes in their species composition and distribution, as well as the study of individual imago variability and the accumulation of data on rare protected species. In addition, the digitized collection of butterflies has an important aesthetic and cognitive value.

Ontology-based data framework for the digital preservation cultural heritage: A case of Subak

Cultural heritage is increasingly fading due to the influence of globalization and social changes that shift traditional values. Digitalization is critical to addressing the degradation of cultural heritage knowledge by enabling more accessible storage and documentation and facilitating preservation and education efforts for future generations. Subak, as a unique traditional agricultural system in Bali, Indonesia, has a wealth of valuable knowledge and culture, but it is still scattered and unstructured. An ontology-based Knowledge Management System is designed to capture, organize, and utilize knowledge within a domain using ontologies as a fundamental component. Ontologies explicitly represent knowledge by providing meaning, properties, and relationships with related concepts. This paper proposes data modelling with the Ontology Development framework for the knowledge base. The methodological framework consists of knowledge externalization, including identifying and collecting knowledge based on data modelling through interviews and observations. The second steps are modelling and development of ontology, based on the knowledge that has been previously disclosed, including the hierarchical structure, properties, and relationships that form the knowledge base. The third stage is the Implementation and evaluation, which involves evaluating the quality of ontology using onto metrics and implementing the ontology into the KMS. The result of this study is data modeling for the knowledge base and the Ontology Development framework. The data modelling is a form of data mapping based on a combination of traditional philosophy and modern management principles that underlie Subak activities and artefacts, namely Tri Hita Karana, Desa Kala Patra, and POAC. The proposed framework can be a reference in developing new ontologies from scratch on unstructured cultural heritage data.

Digital Technologies and Their Use for the Development of Cultural Heritage in Europe and Romania: Advantages and Disadvantages

The Internet and the digital applications are now part of our daily lives. Digital technologies have become essential to work, to learn, to socialize, to be able to access various products and services (for business, for entertainment, for cultural tourism, for education, for health, etc.). The evolution of new technologies has generated significant changes in all fields, which has led to an increasing awareness of the importance of the role that technological progress has in today's economy. Similarly, technological developments have opened up new possibilities for the digitization of cultural heritage, especially for the purpose of its conservation, restoration, research, but also for the purpose of expanding the online access and for its reuse by tourists. In response to the current digital challenge, this article aims to debate the issue of the use of digital technologies in cultural tourism (at European and national level), by presenting and analyzing some recent statistics in this field. At the same time, the ways in which digital tools can contribute or not to the development of cultural heritage will be researched, in order to identify the advantages and disadvantages that may arise from the online exposure of cultural resources. In this way, the data presented will capture both the positive characteristics, but will highlight, at the same time, the existing vulnerabilities and risks, in order to be able to evaluate the consequences of technological progress in the field of cultural tourism.

Decentralising digital humanities: exploring blockchain technology and “web3” for the Sloane Lab and Towards a National Collection (TaNC)

PurposeAdvancements in Internet technologies greatly influence digital humanities, yet research investigating web3 (i.e. the blockchain-based, decentralised web) within that domain remains limited. The purpose of this paper is to address that gap, presenting a state-of-the-art synthesis of web3-related technologies for digital humanities infrastructures and exploring associated risks and challenges.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a review of the literature, the authors scope out ways blockchain technology, peer-to-peer decentralised storage and other web3 technologies could support digital humanities infrastructures, especially in the context of digital cultural heritage. In this discussion, particular cognisance is given to the needs and aims of the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council funded Towards a National Collection programme, which seeks to break down the barriers that exist between the UK’s cultural heritage collections.FindingsWeb3 introduces novel tools and processes that could benefit digital humanities infrastructures, enabling decentralisation and facilitating open access data storage. Yet, significant barriers to adoption remain, such as the requirement for highly specialised technical expertise. Risks and challenges must also be considered prior to any use, including legal, ethical and technical safeguards.Research limitations/implicationsThis study explores opportunities and risks of web3 for digital humanities, through the lens of digital cultural heritage infrastructures and their requirements, including decentralised storage and persistent identification. It does not provide a holistic overview of all web3 technologies.Practical implicationsThe authors identify practical uses of web3 technologies for digital humanities projects, outlining potential applications concerning decentralised storage and persistent identification.Originality/valueThe authors push forward current knowledge and literature on the intersection of web3 and digital humanities, outlining also practical recommendations for scholars, practitioners and funding organisations.

The Game of Heritage: Enhancing Virtual Museum Visits Through Gamification for Tourists

This study delves into the integration of gamification within virtual museum experiences, focusing on its effects on visitor engagement and knowledge acquisition. In today's digital cultural heritage landscape, virtual museums emerge as innovative platforms for the dissemination of educational and cultural content. This research specifically assesses the impact of gamified elements namely points, badges, and leaderboards on enhancing the visitor experience in a virtual environment dedicated to the Himmapan creatures, a crucial aspect of Thai mythology exhibited at the Roitawarabarn Baandhawalai Museum in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Utilizing a quantitative methodology that includes the user engagement scale and a knowledge acquisition questionnaire, this study compares visitor interactions between gamified and non-gamified approach of the virtual museum. The findings reveal that gamification substantially enhances visitor engagement, especially in aspects such as focused attention and rewards, and significantly boosts knowledge acquisition when compared to non-gamified experiences. These outcomes emphasize the crucial importance of integrating gamification strategies within virtual museums to cultivate an experience that is interactive, engaging, and educational for visitors.

Exploring Collective Identity and Community Connections: An Interpersonal Analysis of Online Visitor Reviews at the Overseas Chinese Museum (2012–2023)

The Overseas Chinese Museum in Xiamen, Fujian, is a cultural historical museum in China that promotes heritage tourism and strengthens the community connection among the overseas Chinese diaspora, international and local visitors. The museum has become a platform for interpreting the immigration experience of overseas Chinese communities around the world. In this study, we examine visitors’ feedback to the Overseas Chinese Museum through a linguistic analysis of their reviews. The visitors’ reviews, 207 English-language online reviews, were collected from various travel forums between 2012 and 2023, totaling 11,584 words. We divided the data evenly into two distinct time periods, Stage I (2012–2017) and Stage II (2018–2023) and used statistical corpus log-likelihood analysis to quantify and understand if there were significant linguistic differences over time. Some of the key differences emerging from the linguistic analysis were related to conjunctions, e.g., also, while, after, and so, evaluative language and how identity was construed through language. Findings adopting an appraisal analysis suggested an increase in visitor satisfaction, possibly due to enhanced exhibits and changes in visitor expectations. The findings from analysing the reviews also showed that visitors shared similar values, developed a social bond with overseas Chinese, and engaged with this cultural historical community. The study contributes to a wider discussion on language in digital communication and cultural heritage. In addition, the visitors’ feedback and preferences could be used to improve communication and promotional strategies that ultimately increase the number of visitors to the museum.

Virtual Roaming of Cultural Heritage Based on Image Processing

ABSTRACTWith the digital protection and development of cultural heritage as a focus, an analysis of the trends in cultural heritage digitization reveals the importance of digital technology in this field, as demonstrated by the application of virtual reality (VR) to the protection and development of the Lingjiatan site. The implementation of the Lingjiatan roaming system involves sequential steps, including image acquisition, image splicing, and roaming system production. A user test was conducted to evaluate the usability and user experience of the system. The results show that the system operates normally, with smooth interactive functions that allow users to tour the Lingjiatan site virtually. Users can learn about Lingjiatan's culture from this virtual environment. This study further explores the system's potential for site preservation and development, and its role in the integration of cultural heritage and tourism.

Study on the Approach of Integrating Cultural Heritage into Sustainable Education in the Context of Digitization

Along with the development of the field of digital culture, the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage has begun to transform into a digital paradigm. How to integrate digital cultural heritage with the education of different groups is an important topic. This paper explores the path of digital preservation, utilization and interpretation of cultural heritage, including information acquisition and processing, information storage and management, spatial simulation and analysis, and heritage interpretation and dissemination. Following that, it explores the paths and methods of integrating cultural heritage into sustainable education, taking into account the basic demands of social practice education, general education, professional education and public education. This paper argues that the integration of digital cultural heritage into sustainable education can not only popularize the knowledge related to cultural heritage and enhance the public's digital literacy, but also further improve the level of protection and utilization of cultural heritage. Through the integration of digital cultural heritage and education, the awareness of cultural heritage protection can be raised so that people can jointly guard the cultural treasures of all mankind.

Prediction of Fading for Painted Cultural Relics Using the Optimized Gray Wolf Optimization-Long Short-Term Memory Model

Cultural heritage digitization is of great significance for the protection, restoration, and rejuvenation of cultural relics. In particular, the investigation of fading mechanisms is essential for virtual restoration to accurately recreate the original appearance of artifacts and facilitate humanistic and historical research. For the purpose of investigating the color fading mechanism of pigments, we propose a color fading time series model using a combined long short-term memory recurrent neural network modified by the gray wolf optimization algorithm (GWOAD-LSTM). First, the general gray wolf algorithm was scaled up to two dimensions and combined with an LSTM model for optimal parameter search. Second, six pigments commonly used in painted artifacts were subjected to simulated aging experiments. Third, by applying the experimental data to different predictors, the results of the Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Long Short-Term Memory on Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO-LSTM), and GWOAD-LSTM models were compared. The results showed that our proposed GWOAD-LSTM model outperformed other models in terms of accuracy and generalization ability, especially in predicting hLC color attributes. Our study aimed to provide a new application tool for the restoration and rejuvenation of painted artifacts.

Design of a virtual reality serious game for experiencing the colors of Dunhuang frescoes

With the rapid advancement of digital games, serious games have emerged as a significant medium for engaging with cultural heritage. As a primary visual element in cultural heritage, color plays a crucial role in users’ digital learning. However, there is currently a scarcity of serious game designs that specifically focus on cultural heritage colors, indicating potential for improvement in the user experience. To further enhance users’ perception of color and create a more engaging and enriching digital cultural heritage experience, this study proposes a virtual reality serious game (VR SG) design method specifically tailored to cultural heritage colors. Additionally, it explores the potential of VR SG in enhancing the education, entertainment, and dissemination aspects of these colors within cultural heritage. Specifically, we explore how to integrate relevant knowledge of cultural heritage colors into the application process of VR SG and assess users’ learning performance, engagement, and interactive willingness within these VR SG. The study employs the colors of the Dunhuang cave frescoes as a case study for design practice. A total of 30 participants took part in a between-group comparison experiment, utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative and qualitative assessments to compare the performance of a VR SG with a VR exhibition game. The results indicate that both the VR SG and the VR exhibition game effectively enhance users’ understanding and retention of knowledge, with VR SG users demonstrating higher levels of task engagement, emotional engagement, willingness to explore, and willingness to share. This study confirms the potential of VR SG to enhance the education, entertainment, and dissemination aspects of cultural heritage colors and discusses the implications of VR SG in supporting digital cultural heritage experiences.

Integration of Digital Repositories and Spatial Design within the Metaverse: the Evaluation of Features and Narratives to set Learning Environments on Cultural Heritage

Abstract. The Metaverse is rapidly advancing across cultural, professional, and service sectors, enhancing data compatibility and interaction. Its architectural design supports both visual interaction and information layers, characterising an ideal platform for the promotion of Digital Heritage. The digitisation of Cultural Heritage and the creation of Digital Repositories find complementarity in the Metaverse, which enables social interactions between Digital Heritage contents and virtual communities. This integration is pivotal for developing Learning Environments, where accessible virtual products can be combined with original digital storytelling and narratives.The paper presents methods and results from an Erasmus+ international school, which focused on using digital communication and 3D modelling tools to create immersive narratives on Mediterranean architectural modernity. Students from various Cultural Heritage disciplines designed virtual exhibitions within the Metaverse platform Spatial and open repository materials. The research concentrated on the application of Metaverse platforms for their spatial design and educational utility within the Heritage sector. The activities included developing digital narratives and interactive exhibitions enriched with multimedia data from digital repositories. The study discusses the limitations of customising visual materials, the importance of repository connections, user experience design, and the potential for future developments in Metaverse applications for Cultural Heritage learning environments and storytelling.

Styled and characteristic Peking opera facial makeup synthesis with co-training and transfer conditional styleGAN2

Against the backdrop of the deep integration of culture and technology, research and practice in digitization of intangible cultural heritage has continued to deepen. However, due to the lack of data and training, it is still very difficult to apply artificial intelligence to the field of cultural heritage protection. This article integrates image generation technology into the digital protection of Peking opera facial makeup, using a self-built Peking opera facial makeup dataset. Based on the StyleGAN2 network, we propose a style generative cooperative training network Co-StyleGAN2, which integrates the adaptive data augmentation (ADA) to alleviate the problem of discriminator overfitting and introduces the idea of cooperative training to stabilize the training process. We design a Peking opera facial makeup image transform conditional generation network TC-StyleGAN2 which is transferred from unconditional generation network. The weights of the unconditional pre-training model are fixed, and an adaptive filtering modulation module is added to modulate the category parameters to complete the conversion from unconditional to conditional StyleGAN2 to deal with the training difficulty of conditional GANs on limited data, which suffer from severe mode collapse. The experimental results show that the proposed training strategy is better than the comparison algorithms, and the image generation quality and diversity have been improved.

Community Partnerships in Digital Cultural Heritage: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACTCommunity partnerships with libraries, archives, and museums are increasingly recognized as essential to developing and stewarding complete, accurate, and equitable digital cultural records. While research and practice in this area has burgeoned, there is limited empirical research characterizing the state of the field. This study offers preliminary findings of a systematic, state‐of‐the‐art review of community‐institutional partnerships in digital cultural heritage collections and initiatives. This review systematically identifies wide‐ranging, active community partnerships among relevant institutions and their high‐level objectives, and a correlated array of approaches taken in pursuit of those objectives. The resulting conceptual framework and open access dataset form the base of a toolkit supporting community‐institutional partnerships for a more sustainable, community‐centered cultural record.

Han Dynasty Portrait Image Feature Extraction and Cloud Computing-supported Symbolic Interpretation: A New Approach to Cultural Heritage Digitalization

The study introduces the Cloud Computing-based Cultural Heritage Digitization (CCBCHD) framework, a groundbreaking approach that utilizes advanced convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transfer learning techniques for digitizing and analyzing Han Dynasty portraits. This innovative method addresses the challenges associated with extracting features and symbolically interpreting these culturally significant artworks. CNNs play a crucial role in the CCBCHD system, enabling the efficient extraction of complex features and patterns inherent in the Han Dynasty portraits. These features are essential for understanding the historical and cultural context of the artworks. The integration of transfer learning is another pivotal aspect of this framework. It allows the model to leverage pre-existing knowledge from extensive image datasets, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of the system in recognizing and interpreting the unique characteristics of these portraits. Moreover, the incorporation of cloud computing within the CCBCHD framework provides scalable computational resources. This scalability is vital for handling extensive data processing and enables real-time analysis, a critical factor in the digitization process. The synergy of deep learning with cloud computing not only ensures precise feature extraction and interpretation but also plays a significant role in preserving and making cultural heritage accessible in the digital domain. This accessibility is particularly important for artworks like the Han Dynasty portraits, which hold immense historical and cultural value. In essence, the CCBCHD framework represents a significant advancement in the field of digital preservation of cultural artifacts. It offers a solution that is not only scalable and efficient but also intelligent, ensuring that the rich legacy of cultural heritage can be preserved and appreciated in the digital era. By adopting such technologies, the study underscores the potential of AI and cloud computing in transforming the ways we preserve, study, and interact with cultural heritage, opening new avenues for exploration and understanding in the realm of art history and conservation.

Digitization of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China – Visual analysis based on research themes from 2003 to 2023

Digitization of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China – Visual analysis based on research themes from 2003 to 2023

Administrative Law in the Era of Digital Technologies: New Opportunities for the Saving of Cultural Heritage and Public Education

The rapid development of digital technologies has transformed various aspects of human life, including the save and promotion of cultural heritage. The present article explores the intersection of administrative law and digital technologies in relation to the protection of cultural heritage and public education. The study aims to analyze the role of administrative law in providing a legal framework for the utilization of digital technologies to safeguard cultural heritage, address the challenges arising from the adoption of new technologies, and promote public education on the importance of saving historical values. The article begins by examining the innovative methods employed in the save of cultural heritage, such as virtual museums, augmented and virtual reality technologies, and artificial intelligence. The role of administrative law in facilitating the integration of these technologies into the save process is emphasized, as it provides the necessary legal support and guidance to ensure their effective and responsible use. Next, the article delves into the primary challenges and problems faced by the cultural heritage sector in adopting digital technologies. These include issues related to data privacy and security, intellectual property rights, and the need for harmonization between national and international legal frameworks. The article highlights the importance of administrative law in addressing these challenges and ensuring a balanced approach that respects the rights of all stakeholders. The study then discusses the interaction between technology and law in the context of heritage protection. It analyzes the existing legal frameworks governing the use of digital technologies in the cultural heritage sector and identifies areas for improvement and potential legal developments. The role of administrative law in facilitating international cooperation and collaboration in the save of cultural heritage is also explored. Finally, the article presents an overview of the prospects for the development of digital cultural heritage management. It outlines the potential benefits of integrating digital technologies into the save process, such as increased accessibility and awareness of cultural heritage, as well as the opportunities for public education and engagement. The article concludes by emphasizing the crucial role of administrative law in ensuring that the digital transformation of the cultural heritage sector is carried out responsibly and sustainably.