Documentation Of Cultural Heritage Research Articles

Practice architectures for bridging the semantic gap in museum documentation

ABSTRACT In this paper we address a persistent widespread issue in museum documentation, the semantic gap: a disconnect between how users search online collections and staff apply metadata. By applying a systems-level understanding to documentation practices, we not only interrogate the complexity of the semantic gap, but also envision ways to bridge it. To examine documentation practices in depth, we use the case study of National Museums Scotland, undertaking interviews and a workshop with staff cross-institutionally. We apply practice architectures, initially developed for educational practice, as a systems-level framework, adapting it for the analysis of cultural heritage documentation. Using practice architectures as a lens, we examine and deconstruct different arrangements (encompassing cultural, material, social, and economic resources) that are entangled and prefigure documentation practices. We thus re-envision practice architectures at National Museums Scotland and beyond that transform documentation practices, supporting staff to place users at the centre.

To catch the uncatchable/to capture the intangible. Reflections on selected problems of safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Example of the Koniaków lace making skills

The 2003 UNESCO Convection for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has given impetus to intensive work on the disappearance of cultural specificity in many countries. As a result of taking safeguarding measures taken for expressions of intangible cultural heritage, the necessity to redefine existing practices in this matter has also shown up. The text refers to reflection on selected problems of documentation and popularisation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), with particular regard to the example of the Koniaków lace making skills. This handicraft, despite the changing reality, has been an uninterrupted manifestation of the region's tradition for more than 100 years. Local lace makers adapt their forms to new emerging needs. The educational or commercial activity concentrated around lace makes these skills an important bonding element for the local community. The lively activity of dissemination and promotion of the Koniaków lace brought an entry to UNESCO's National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.

A Data Model for Unrecognised Historical Neighbourhood (Case study: Telukbetung, Indonesia)

Abstract. Unrecognised Historical places, which are locations with history but lacking official recognition, particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia, often face a dearth of accessible historical information. To tackle this challenge, there is an urgent need to commence the collection and documentation of historical data concerning Unrecognised Historical places. This initiative aims to prevent the loss of history, given that such sites are frequently subjected to rapid development and commercialization. To date, City Geography Markup Language (CityGML), an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standard 3D data format, has been developed for presenting city models along with semantic data and is often used in the heritage domain for preservation. It aids in digital infrastructure development and the conservation of urban elements. Furthermore, it provides a mechanism to extend the standard data model to meet the requirements of various purposes. While several CityGML extensions tailored to the documentation of Cultural Heritage already exist, there is currently no extension specifically designed to address the requirements of Unrecognised Historical places. The aim of this paper is to identify a suitable approach for developing a new standardised data model that integrates geometric and semantic information, which is demonstrated for the modelling of Telukbetung, an old city in Bandar Lampung through time.

A Review of Existing Sources for the Design of an Archaeological Underwater Cultural Heritage Database of Puglia Region (Italy)

Abstract. Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) in Italy is under-documented despite its significance. Creating a comprehensive UCH database is essential but faces challenges, such as complex documentation processes, data interoperability, and international standard adherence. This paper examines data models, standards, and the use of webGIS and databases for underwater cultural heritage documentation in Italy and globally. International documents like the 1996 ICOMOS Charter and the 2001 UNESCO Convention emphasize in-situ preservation. However, documentation efforts remain scattered, lacking a unified database. GIS technologies are vital for managing and analyzing UCH data but are underutilized for public access and tourism. Projects like Andar per Mare and Archim3des in the Puglia region aim to promote underwater cultural heritage using webGIS platforms. However, existing sources like CartaPulia face limitations, including a lack of standardization, specialized fields for underwater cultural heritage characteristics, and language barriers. The proposed solution involves creating a new data model based on standards, resulting in a bilingual geodatabase. This geodatabase will support scientific and tourism-focused webGIS applications, enhancing accessibility and promoting Italy's underwater cultural heritage. A unified database will prevent duplication, facilitate discoveries, and promote Italy's cultural heritage.

The Cultural Significance of Malay Woodcarving Motifs: A Case Study of Rumah Warisan Hajah Kundur

This study examined the Malay woodcarving motifs displayed at Rumah Warisan Hajah Kundur, a distinguished Malay heritage house currently located in Politeknik Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The study utilised qualitative research methods such as site observations, photographic recording, and analysis of secondary data to document and assess the wood carving motifs found on the wooden structure. The house had been moved and restored in order to preserve its cultural significance. The investigation uncovered that the woodcarvings of Rumah Warisan Hajah Kundur prominently featured floral motifs, with geometric and combination designs also being prominent. This study not only recorded the visual qualities of the carvings but also analysed their symbolic meaning, revealing the interdependent relationship between artistic representation and cultural heritage in the practice of Malay woodcarving. Concentrating on this singular, historically significant residence of Rumah Warisan Hajah Kundur, the study underscored the significance of Malay woodcarving in vernacular architecture in Negeri Sembilan. It emphasised the imperative for continuous documentation and conservation of the intangible cultural heritage represented by Malay woodcarving motifs and Malay traditional houses.

Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of important local plants in Sudhnoti, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

This research purpose was focused to document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge (TEK) associated with important wild plants and indigenous communities residing in mountainous zone of District Sudhnoti of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and to determine their conservation status with suggestions and recommendations to protect and propagate the rare and endangered wild flora of the area for sustainable use. The data regarding traditional ethnomedicines (TEMs) and phytogeography with conservation analysis of wild plants were collected via structured and semi structured interviews of 150 participants belonging to various professions and of both genders. Prior consent and permission were obtained from family heads and from all the participants, and the data were shared with all the informants through the local female translator guide. To validate the collected data, various microstatistical tools, such as the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL) and data matrix ranking (DMR) were used. The relative frequency of citations (RFC) and rank order of popularity (ROP)were also calculated to determine and authenticate the relative importance of TEMs which may be further studied in future research and used for drug discovery. In the present study, 150 locally important plants belonging to 69 families were documented, and the Rosaceae was the most dominant and prevalent family. The results indicated that many locally important plants have multiple uses such as food, medicine, fodder, shelter, ornamental and fuel. The TEMs obtained from these plants have been known to be useful for curing various infirmities such as flu, renal disorders, fever, malaria, cough, migraine, whooping cough, influenza, skin rashes, allergies, stomach aches, wounds and bruises, diabetes, tumours and joint pains. The ICF analysis revealed that renal calculus, malaria, fever, whooping cough, rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis were prevalent infirmities of the mountainous area. The FL analysis indicated the popularity of these plants used in various TEMs and among these Artemisia maritima and Berberis lycium were the most common. The DMR indicated that Pinus roxburghii was the most common species being used for multipurpose by the indigenous communities. The highest use value index was found for Indigofera linifolia. The relative frequency of citations was calculated to determine the importance of plants in traditional ethnomedicine, highlighting Morus nigra, Pinus wallichiana, and Rosa indica as significant species. The Jaccard index indicated a high level of novelty in the research which can be exploited for neo-drug discovery and drug development. In conclusion, this study has successfully documented the ethnobotanically and ethnomedicinally important plants in District Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The findings of this research contribute to the preservation and documentation of cultural heritage, as well as provide a foundation for further studies in ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology and biodiversity conservation efforts for sustainable provision of wild flora to the indigenous communities which will also assist in combating drasting climatic changes.

Accuracy assessment of UAV-based documentation of archaeological site: Kültepe-Kaneš

High quality 2D/3D metric documentation of archaeological sites is used in many different applications such as archaeological-heritage management, digital archaeological excavation planning, orthophotographic documentation, and ancient Digital Surfaces Models (DSM) research. Structure-from-Motion based photogrammetry (SfM) is an indirect geodesic measurement technique based on multiple view image processing using high-level automation techniques. Using SfM to generate the high accuracy 2D/3D data needed for digital documentation of archaeological cultural heritage is relatively practical, economical, and fast. Factors such as the number of ground control points and their distribution to the study area, the robustness of the camera system model parameters, and the analytical model of the photogrammetric triangulation method used affect the accuracy of the data produced using SfM-photogrammetry. Kültepe-Kaneš, the center of the ancient Kingdom of Kaneš, which is located in central-Anatolia, was an Assyrian Trade Colony active between ca. 2000 BC and 1700 BC. The site, which was the center of the Old Assyrian trade colonies in Anatolia and one of the most important sites in ancient history, has been under excavation for the last 75 years. In this paper, high accuracy digital documentation of the Kültepe-Kaneš archaeological excavation area was made using different SfM methods. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in accuracy between Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Process Kinematic (PPK) methods for the study area. This suggests that either PPK, RTK, or aerial triangulation with Ground Control Points (GCPs) can be employed to generate orthophotos and DSMs for archaeological sites with relatively flat surface areas, as long as a sufficient number of uniformly distributed GCPs are used.

A Forward-Looking Vision to Employ Artificial Intelligence to Preserve Cultural Heritage

The study aimed to build a forward-looking vision for employing artificial intelligence in preserving cultural heritage, preserving cultural heritage, principles, values, customs and traditions, in light of globalization, technological progress and the dissolution of cultural identity and cultural heritage, through analyzing and reviewing previous research, studies and educational literature during the years (2022/2023). To ensure an integrated forward-looking therapeutic vision according to clear steps to achieve the targeted use of artificial intelligence applications and the sustainability of cultural heritage for future generations. The current study differs from previous studies in the study methodology, as it adopts the analytical approach, and based on previous studies and the theoretical framework, the two researchers built the proposed forward-looking vision for employing artificial intelligence in preserving cultural heritage. This vision included 11 fields that were as follows: digitization, preservation, restoration and preservation, language. Translation, documentation of cultural heritage, archaeological discoveries, virtual and augmented reality, preservation of oral traditions, crowdsourcing data, ethical considerations, global cooperation, education and awareness. In light of the results, the study recommends strengthening cooperation between institutions concerned with preserving cultural heritage and bodies specialized in the field artificial intelligence. This aims to exchange experiences and knowledge and coordinate efforts to apply artificial intelligence in this field. It also recommends developing standards and ethics for the use of artificial intelligence in the field of cultural heritage preservation. This is to ensure the responsible and ethical use of this technology.

The Hellenic Archaeological Cadastre: A Land Administration System Specifically Designed for the Documentation and Management of Cultural Heritage

How is land management related to cultural policy and how do these two different scientific fields contribute to cultural heritage protection? How may archaeological sites, immovable monuments, and state property be recorded in a specific Land Administration System? What are the records of the system in numbers? These questions will be answered in this publication, and the example of the Hellenic Archaeological Cadastre (HAC) will be analyzed in detail. The HAC project is one of the most important projects that has been designed, implemented, and launched within the last decade by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. The transition of the whole public sector in the digital era and the urgent need for reliable and updated geospatial documentation of public parcels of land and constructions, archaeological sites, and immovable monuments were the two main factors that led to the compilation and implementation of the specific LAS. This study presents the available tools, administrative procedures, records, qualitative and quantitative data, and prominent examples of public parcels of land accessible online in the open access web GIS platform. A SWOT analysis is also performed for its evaluation.

Digital Twin Sensors in Cultural Heritage Ontology Applications.

This paper concerns the extension of the Heritage Digital Twin Ontology introduced in previous research to describe the reactivity of digital twins used for cultural heritage documentation by including the semantic description of sensors and activators and all of the process of interacting with the real world. After analysing previous work on the use of digital twins in cultural heritage, a summary description of the Heritage Digital Twin Ontology is provided, and the existing applications of digital twins to cultural heritage are overviewed, with references to reviews summarising the large production of scientific contributions on the topic. Then, a novel ontology named the Reactive Digital Twin Ontology is described, in which sensors, activators, and the decision processes are also semantically described, turning the previous synchronic approach to cultural heritage documentation into a diachronic one. Some case studies exemplify this theory.

The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the 3D Documentation of Historical and Cultural Heritage: The Case of Ceyhan Kurtkulağı Caravanserai

The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the 3D Documentation of Historical and Cultural Heritage: The Case of Ceyhan Kurtkulağı Caravanserai

HERITAGE CATEGORIZATION OF MONUMENTS USING DEEP LEARNING

One of the most important tasks in the digital documentation of cultural heritage is the classification of the photos that are taken when measuring an architectural asset. Since many images are typically handled classifying them is a laborious process that takes a lot of time and is prone to error. Additionally properly categorizing the existing images enables more effective management and searches using particular keywords supporting the tasks of researching and analyzing the relevant historical asset. This articles primary goal is to classify photos of architectural heritage using deep learning-based techniques. By creating different pictures of the specific landmarks along with their geo-locations (latitudes longitudes and landmark coordinates) we can use this project to create a variety of landmarks that are present in a given monument. Keywords: geolocations, prone to errors

Structural Analysis of Glazed Tubular Tiles of Oriental Architectures Based on 3D Point Clouds for Cultural Heritage

Abstract. Laser scanning, along with its resultant 3D point clouds, constitutes a prevalent method for the documentation of cultural heritage. This paper introduces a novel workflow for the structural analysis of glazed tubular tiles that adorn the roofs of historical buildings in the Orient, utilizing 3D point clouds. The workflow integrates a robust segmentation algorithm utilizing the maximum principal curvature and normal vectors. Moreover, clustering algorithms, including DBSCAN, are incorporated to refine the clusters and thus increase segmentation accuracy. Structural analysis is enabled by cylindrical model fitting, which allows for the estimation of parameters and residuals. While the results exhibit commendable performance in individual tile segmentation, it is imperative to address the impact of substantial variations in scanning range and incident angles before engaging in the structural analysis fitting process. The results of experiment demonstrate that under conditions of significantly large scanning angles, the root mean square error (RMSE) for inadequately fitted tiles can extend to 0.066 m, surpassing twice the RMSE observed for well-fitted tiles. The proposed workflow proves to be applicable and exhibits significant potential to advance practices in cultural heritage documentation.

Multi-Sensor Image and Range-Based Techniques for the Geometric Documentation and the Photorealistic 3D Modeling of Complex Architectural Monuments.

The selection of the optimal methodology for the 3D geometric documentation of cultural heritage is a subject of high concern in contemporary scientific research. As a matter of fact, it requires a multi-source data acquisition process and the fusion of datasets from different sensors. This paper aims to demonstrate the workflow for the proper implementation and integration of geodetic, photogrammetric and laser scanning techniques so that high-quality photorealistic 3D models and other documentation products can be generated for a complicated, large-dimensional architectural monument and its surroundings. As a case study, we present the monitoring of the Mehmet Bey Mosque, which is a landmark in the city of Serres and a significant remaining sample of the Ottoman architecture in Greece. The surveying campaign was conducted in the context of the 2022-2023 annual workshop of the Interdepartmental Program of Postgraduate Studies "Protection Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Monuments" of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and it served as a geometric background for interdisciplinary cooperation and decision-making on the monument restoration process. The results of our study encourage the fusion of terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetric datasets for the 3D modeling of the mosque, as they supplement each other as regards geometry and texture.

CHEKG: a collaborative and hybrid methodology for engineering modular and fair domain-specific knowledge graphs

Ontologies constitute the semantic model of Knowledge Graphs (KGs). This structural association indicates the potential existence of methodological analogies in the development of ontologies and KGs. The deployment of fully and well-defined methodologies for KG development based on existing ontology engineering methodologies (OEMs) has been suggested and efficiently applied. However, most of the modern/recent OEMs may not include tasks that (i) empower knowledge workers and domain experts to closely collaborate with ontology engineers and KG specialists for the development and maintenance of KGs, (ii) satisfy special requirements of KG development, such as (a) ensuring modularity and agility of KGs, (b) assessing and mitigating bias at schema and data levels. Toward this aim, the paper presents a methodology for the Collaborative and Hybrid Engineering of Knowledge Graphs (CHEKG), which constitutes a hybrid (schema-centric/top-down and data-driven/bottom-up), collaborative, agile, and iterative approach for developing modular and fair domain-specific KGs. CHEKG contributes to all phases of the KG engineering lifecycle: from the specification of a KG to its exploitation, evaluation, and refinement. The CHEKG methodology is based on the main phases of the extended Human-Centered Collaborative Ontology Engineering Methodology (ext-HCOME), while it adjusts and expands the individual processes and tasks of each phase according to the specialized requirements of KG development. Apart from the presentation of the methodology per se, the paper presents recent work regarding the deployment and evaluation of the CHEKG methodology for the engineering of semantic trajectories as KGs generated from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) data during real cultural heritage documentation scenarios.

Practical RGB-to-XYZ Color Transformation Matrix Estimation under Different Lighting Conditions for Graffiti Documentation.

Color data are often required for cultural heritage documentation. These data are typically acquired via standard digital cameras since they facilitate a quick and cost-effective way to extract RGB values from photos. However, cameras' absolute sensor responses are device-dependent and thus not colorimetric. One way to still achieve relatively accurate color data is via camera characterization, a procedure which computes a bespoke RGB-to-XYZ matrix to transform camera-dependent RGB values into the device-independent CIE XYZ color space. This article applies and assesses camera characterization techniques in heritage documentation, particularly graffiti photographed in the academic project INDIGO. To this end, this paper presents COOLPI (COlor Operations Library for Processing Images), a novel Python-based toolbox for colorimetric and spectral work, including white-point-preserving camera characterization from photos captured under diverse, real-world lighting conditions. The results highlight the colorimetric accuracy achievable through COOLPI's color-processing pipelines, affirming their suitability for heritage documentation.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph: community participation, collective memorialisation and social cohesion

Purpose Online/Digital cultural heritage platforms have the potential to serve as empowering sites and tools for democratic participation, and for promoting social cohesion, acting as convergence points for diverse societal groups. They enable the gathering of multiple voices, including those of minorities and groups often marginalised in mainstream cultural heritage documentation. This research paper examines the ways in which these aspirations of cultural heritage platforms as meeting, learning and dialogic spaces for connecting and empowering online communities have been realised. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative design, interviews were conducted with users of New Zealand’s Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Online Cenotaph. Participants shared their experiences with the platform, perceptions of it as a collective social history resource and views on its role as a participatory space for online communities. They also discussed their expectations for its development as an online space for collective memorialisation. Findings Interviews revealed that users value Online Cenotaph for placing personal, publicly contributed memories and narratives alongside primary military sources. Participants expressed feelings of civic responsibility, social awareness and a sense of identity and connection through their use and contribution to this online commemorative space. The shift from a one-way flow of information from the Museum towards embracing public contribution embodying a high-trust approach, was a notable finding. Originality/value This research underscores the evolving role of museums and other GLAM institutions in recognising the importance of inclusivity, diversity and community participation. It provides insights into how digital cultural heritage social platforms can contribute towards these goals and promote social cohesion. This research is also a starting point for further studies on crowdsourcing and social Web activities on digital cultural heritage platforms as sites of community building through public participation and engagement in historical/cultural heritage narratives.

NEURAL RADIANCE FIELDS (NERF) FOR MULTI-SCALE 3D MODELING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ARTIFACTS

Abstract. This research aims to assess the adaptability of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) for the digital documentation of cultural heritage objects of varying size and complexity. We discuss the influence of object size, desired scale of representation, and level of detail on the choice to use NeRF for cultural heritage documentation, providing insights for practitioners in the field. Case studies range from historic pavements to architectural elements or buildings, representing diverse and multi-scale scenarios encountered in heritage documentation procedures. The findings suggest that NeRFs perform well in scenarios with homogeneous textures, variable lighting conditions, reflective surfaces, and fine details. However, they exhibit higher noise and lower texture quality compared to other consolidated image-based techniques as photogrammetry, especially in case of small-scale artifacts.

Centering dialog and care in digital Indigenous knowledge stewardship: Of relationality, responsibility, and respect

AbstractThe question of how to appropriately care for and share Indigenous knowledges is central to cultural heritage documentation and, contemporary archival praxes and discourses. Transforming the standards of Indigenous knowledge management (IKM) necessitates confronting the legacies of colonial control and Indigenous expurgation that settler colonial galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) have contributed to (intentionally or not). Writing of and within the Māori context in New Zealand, we argue that a renewed orientation toward dialogic collaboration between institutions and Indigenous communities is crucial for revitalizing archival practices and partnerships in ways that center Indigenous values. Moreover, we purport that aligning institutional practices with Indigenous values is insufficient if Indigenous communities are neither made to feel welcome within archival spaces nor empowered to utilize them. As such, we identify the notions of relationality, responsibility, and respect as vital in supporting this ethical transformation of Indigenous knowledge stewardship both in New Zealand and in other Indigenous contexts. We propose that current efforts to reshape IKM praxes in culturally responsible and responsive ways can be meaningfully expanded through dialogic engagement, and an ethics of care.

Evaluating Color Transformation Quality and Accuracy of Prosumer and Mobile Phone Cameras for High Dynamic Range Cultural Heritage Documentation

Evaluating Color Transformation Quality and Accuracy of Prosumer and Mobile Phone Cameras for High Dynamic Range Cultural Heritage Documentation