This book examines how computer-based programs can be used to acquire
'big' digital cultural heritage data, curate, and disseminate it over
the Internet and in 3D visualization platforms with the ultimate goal of
creating long-lasting "digital heritage repositories.' The organization
of the book reflects the essence of new technologies applied to cultural
heritage and archaeology. Each of these stages bring their own
challenges and considerations that need to be dealt with. The authors in
each section present case studies and overviews of how each of these
aspects might be dealt with. While technology is rapidly changing, the
principles laid out in these chapters should serve as a guide for many
years to come. The influence of the digital world on archaeology and
cultural heritage will continue to shape these disciplines as advances
in these technologies facilitate new lines of research.
serif">The book is divided into three sections covering acquisition,
curation, and dissemination (the major life cycles of cultural heritage
data). Acquisition is one of the fundamental challenges for
practitioners in heritage and archaeology, and the chapters in this
section provide a template that highlights the principles for present
and future work that will provide sustainable models for digital
documentation. Following acquisition, the next section highlights how
equally important curation is as the future of digital documentation
depends on it. Preservation of digital data requires preservation that
can guarantee a future for generations to come. The final section
focuses on dissemination as it is what pushes the data beyond the
shelves of storage and allows the public to experience the past through
these new technologies, but also opens new lines of investigation by
giving access to these data to researchers around the globe. Digital
technology promises significant changes in how we approach social
sciences, cultural heritage, and archaeology. However, researchers must
consider not only the acquisition and curation, but also the
dissemination of these data to their colleagues and the public.
Throughout the book, many of the authors have highlighted the usefulness
of Structure from Motion (SfM) work for cultural heritage documentation;
others the utility and excitement of crowdsourcing as a 'citizen
scientist' tool to engage not only trained students and researchers, but
also the public in the cyber-archaeology endeavor. Both innovative tools
facilitate the curation of digital cultural heritage and its
dissemination. Together with all the chapters in this volume, the
authors will help archaeologists, researchers interested in the digital
humanities and scholars who focus on digital cultural heritage to assess
where the field is and where it is going.
