SHARE - I.T. (Spatial Heritage & Archaeological Research Environment I.T.)
The aim of the Spatial Heritage& Archaeological Research Environment I.T (SHARE IT) project is to investigate spatial archaeological landscape data in Ireland and to develop a WebGIS tool pilot for its exploration for use in further research. The key research challenges will be: assessing current levels of spatial data content and standards within the Irish archaeology sector, identifying suitable digital archiving strategies for spatial landscape data, developing and testing a suitable WebGIS for the exploration of spatial archaeological landscape data and the promotion of this data to the archaeological research community. Initially the WebGIS tool will host geophysical, aerial and LiDAR data, together with their associated interpretations.
Over the past 15 years much financial and professional effort has been invested in the collection and analysis of spatial archaeological data by government, research and commercial sectors. Within this digital domain asset, landscape data forms a substantial component and includes: aerial photography; topographic surveys created by LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and digital photogrammetry; and geophysical surveys. Once this data is recorded and interpreted, the printed report is often seen as the final deliverable, while the digital archaeological assets created often remain hidden and unused within the source organisations, eliminating any possible knowledge transfer to the wider archaeological community. In the current economic climate the possibility for the loss of archaeological information is great as the digital data collected and held by commercial companies could potentially disappear. Major problems to the successful development of the knowledge society in Irish archaeology include:
- Underdeveloped and poorly resourced research infrastructure
- The unconnected nature of archaeological information and key resources within the archaeological research community
- A lack of accessible and sustainable digital archives for archaeological data, with established standards and metadata
- An inadequate return on the investment in primary data collection, from both development led and grant funded archaeological practice, resulting in the production of hidden archaeological material
The solution for many of the highlighted problems is the creation of an effective complimentary ICT strategy which provides easy access to primary research information whilst providing a sustainable and robust digital archive that adheres to recognised international standards. Developments in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have provided researchers with new mechanisms to access improved archaeological data sets. The tools within GIS enable the visualisation, cataloguing and analysis of a varying scale of spatial data improving the investigative capacity of the researcher. Creating a coherent infrastructure where high quality landscape data is easily accessible will maximise the knowledge return from this resource and enhance future archaeological research.
Following a successful INSTAR application for €50,000, the Discovery Programme coordinated a 7 month feasibility project entitled SHARE – I.T. (Spatial Heritage & Archaeological Research Environment I.T) to investigate many of the problems detailed above. The other project partners were: Digital Media Centre (DIT), UCD School of Archaeology and Margaret Gowen & Co. The SHARE-IT website can be accessed at www.share-it.ie.
This project was supported by the Heritage Council under the Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research (INSTAR) Programme 2008