Connecting Archaeological Data and Grey Literature via Semantic Cross Search

1. Hypermedia Research Unit, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, Wales, UK. Email: dstudhope@glam.ac.uk
2. Strategic Digital Information Archaeologist, English Heritage

Differing terminology and database structure hinders meaningful cross search of excavation datasets. Matching free text grey literature reports with datasets poses yet more challenges. Conventional search techniques are unable to cross search between archaeological datasets and Web-based grey literature.

Results are reported from two AHRC funded research projects that investigated the use of semantic techniques to link digital archive databases, vocabularies and associated grey literature. STAR (Semantic Technologies for Archaeological Resources) was a collaboration between the University of Glamorgan, Hypermedia Research Unit and English Heritage (EH). The main outcome is a research Demonstrator (available online), which cross searches over excavation datasets from different database schemas, including Raunds Roman, Raunds Prehistoric, Museum of London, Silchester Roman and Stanwick sampling. The system additionally cross searches over an extract of excavation reports from the OASIS index of grey literature, operated by the Archaeology Data Service (ADS).

A conceptual framework provided by the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model(CRM) integrates the different database structures and the metadata automatically generated from the OASIS reports by natural language processing techniques. The methods employed for extracting semantic RDF representations from the datasets and the information extraction from grey literature are described. The STELLAR project provides freely available tools to reduce the costs of mapping and extracting data to semantic search systems such as the Demonstrator and to linked data representation generally. Detailed use scenarios (and a screen capture video) provide a basis for a discussion of key issues, including cost-benefits, ontology modelling, mapping, terminology control, semantic implementation and information extraction issues.

The scenarios show that semantic interoperability can be achieved by mapping and extracting different datasets and key concepts from OASIS reports to a central RDF based triple store. It is not necessary to expose the full detail of the ontological model; the Demonstrator shows that user interfaces for retrieval (or mapping) systems can be expressed using familiar archaeological concepts. Working with the CRM-EH archaeological extension of the CIDOC CRM ontology allows specific archaeological queries, while permitting interoperability at the more general CRM level, potentially extending to other areas of cultural heritage. The ability to connect published datasets with the hitherto under-utilised grey literature holds potential for meta studies, where aggregate patterns can be compared and hypotheses for future detailed investigation uncovered. Connecting the interpretation with the underlying context data via the semantic model facilitates the revisiting of previous interpretations by third parties, the possibility of juxtaposing parallel interpretations, or exposing the data to new research questions.

The STAR and STELLAR projects were supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council [grant numbers AH/D001528/1, AH/H037357/1].

This article will appeal to: those interested in the archiving and reuse of digital excavation data, grey literature, the integration and comparison of excavation datasetsKeywords: archive; grey literature; semantic interoperability; semantic search; cross search; ontology; thesaurus; natural language processing; CIDOC-CRM; CRM-EH; SKOSFind more publications on interoperability in the British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography (BIAB)

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Archaeological Archives: Serving the Public Interest?

Archaeological Archives: Serving the Public Interest? Institution: RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON Sign In | My Tools | Contact Us | HELP Search all journals Advanced Search Search History Browse Journals RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON Skip to main page content

Home All Issues Subscribe RSS Email Alerts Search this journal Advanced Journal Search » Archaeological Archives: Serving the Public Interest? Nick Merriman

University College London Hedley Swain

Museum of London Abstract The aim of this paper is to highlight the neglected role of archaeological archives in Cultural Resource Management in particular and in the discipline of archaeology in general, Through reference to a major recent survey of the size, condition, usage and future prospects of archaeological archives in England, it is argued that the neglect of archives leads to fundamental questions regarding the purpose of archaeology in general. Why are archaeological archives generated and kept 'for posterity'? If they are worthy of retention, how can they be better used and integrated into the discipline? it is argued that there is a need to recognize the 'ex situ' archaeological resource as a concept and that archaeology should recognize that the study of this resource should be a major area of activity alongside the generation of new information through fieldwork.

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« Previous | Next Article »Table of Contents This Article doi: 10.1177/146195719900200206 European Journal of Archaeology August 1999 vol. 2 no. 2 249-267 » AbstractFree Full Text (PDF)Free to you References Services Email this article to a colleague Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Load patientINFORMation Citing Articles Load citing article information Citing articles via Scopus Citing articles via Web of Science Citing articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Merriman, N. Articles by Swain, H. Search for related content Related Content Load related web page information Share CiteULike Complore Connotea Delicious Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter What's this?

Current Issue December 2010, 13 (3) Alert me to new issues of European Journal of Archaeology Submit a Manuscript Free Sample Copy Email Alerts RSS feed More about this journal About the Journal Editorial Board Manuscript Submission Abstracting/Indexing Subscribe Recommend to Library Advertising Reprints Permissions European Association of Archaeologists Most Most Read Ritual and Rationality: Some Problems of Interpretaton in European Archaeology Phenomenology in Practice: Towards a p Methodology for a `Subjective' Approach A Conversation With Colin Renfrew (Professor Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn) The Marine Environment and Its Influence On Seafaring and Maritime Routes in the Prehistoric Aegean Islands in the Mediterranean: Introduction » View all Most Read articles Most Cited Strontium Isotopes and Prehistoric Human Migration: The Bell Beaker Period in Central Europe Archaeology, Science-Based Archaeology and the Mediterranean Bronze Age Metals Trade Climate Change and the Adoption of Agriculture in North-West Europe Book Review: Book Marks Reconstructing the Lifetime Movements of Ancient People: A Neolithic Case Study from Southern England » View all Most Cited articles HOME ALL ISSUES FEEDBACK SUBSCRIBE RSS EMAIL ALERTS HELP Copyright © 2011 by European Association of Archaeologists, SAGE Publications Print ISSN: 1461-9571 Online ISSN: 1741-2722

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Proposals for a Practical System of Significance Evaluation in Archaeological Heritage Management

Proposals for a Practical System of Significance Evaluation in Archaeological Heritage Management Institution: RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON Sign In | My Tools | Contact Us | HELP Search all journals Advanced Search Search History Browse Journals RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON Skip to main page content

Home All Issues Subscribe RSS Email Alerts Search this journal Advanced Journal Search » Proposals for a Practical System of Significance Evaluation in Archaeological Heritage Management Jos Deeben Bert J. Groenewoudt Daan P. Hallewas

Dutch State Archaeological Service, Amersfoort Willem J. H. Willems

University of Leiden Abstract Significance evaluation plays a central role in archaeological heritage management. In this paper, a practical approach is presented based on experiences and recent discussions in the Netherlands. A restricted number of values (perception, physical quality and intrinsic quality) are operationalized as criteria in order to evaluate archaeological phenomena. In this manner, a more transparent framework is created to help determine if a monument is worth preserving. In the process of selection, monuments worth preserving are scrutinized from the viewpoints of policy considerations and priorities in archaeological heritage management in order to select monuments deserving of sustained preservation. The form of this system of significance evaluation is such that it can be used by all government levels, that the process is understandable for non-archaeologists, and that its results remain relevant from a research perspective.

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« Previous | Next Article »Table of Contents This Article doi: 10.1177/146195719900200203 European Journal of Archaeology August 1999 vol. 2 no. 2 177-199 » AbstractFree Full Text (PDF)Free to you References Services Email this article to a colleague Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Similar articles in this journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Load patientINFORMation Citing Articles Load citing article information Citing articles via Scopus Citing articles via Web of Science Citing articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Deeben, J. Articles by Willems, W. J. H. Search for related content Related Content Load related web page information Share CiteULike Complore Connotea Delicious Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter What's this?

Current Issue December 2010, 13 (3) Alert me to new issues of European Journal of Archaeology Submit a Manuscript Free Sample Copy Email Alerts RSS feed More about this journal About the Journal Editorial Board Manuscript Submission Abstracting/Indexing Subscribe Recommend to Library Advertising Reprints Permissions European Association of Archaeologists Most Most Read Ritual and Rationality: Some Problems of Interpretaton in European Archaeology Phenomenology in Practice: Towards a p Methodology for a `Subjective' Approach A Conversation With Colin Renfrew (Professor Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn) The Marine Environment and Its Influence On Seafaring and Maritime Routes in the Prehistoric Aegean Islands in the Mediterranean: Introduction » View all Most Read articles Most Cited Strontium Isotopes and Prehistoric Human Migration: The Bell Beaker Period in Central Europe Archaeology, Science-Based Archaeology and the Mediterranean Bronze Age Metals Trade Climate Change and the Adoption of Agriculture in North-West Europe Book Review: Book Marks Reconstructing the Lifetime Movements of Ancient People: A Neolithic Case Study from Southern England » View all Most Cited articles HOME ALL ISSUES FEEDBACK SUBSCRIBE RSS EMAIL ALERTS HELP Copyright © 2011 by European Association of Archaeologists, SAGE Publications Print ISSN: 1461-9571 Online ISSN: 1741-2722

View the original article here