XML Technologies for the Representation and Management of Spatiotemporal Information in Archaeology Fabio Grandi Franco Niccolucci University of Bologna University of Florence

17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000 A New Research Project Four Groups Involved: 1 technological unit (University of Bologna) 1 “interface” unit (University of Florence) 2 archaeological units (Neaples and Florence) Background in XML Use for Cultural Heritage Interest in Archaeological Methodologies 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Information of Interest for Archaeological Research Semistructured Information Antiquarian Reports Excavation Data and Diaries Ancient Texts as Primary Sources Metainformation History and Geography Data Working Hypotheses and Models 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Semantic Richness of Information Structured Data (Complex Objects) Textual and Semistructured Information Spatial and Temporal Features Support of Indeterminacy Use of Metadata 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

The Use of Computer Tools for Archaeology Research Support Requirements: Efficient Use of Computer Resources Lossless Representation of Source Semantics (vs DB standardisation and normalisation) Representation of Additional (Meta)Information Availability on the Internet of User-friendly Tools 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000 The Project Goals XML Infrastructure Development of models and techniques for the representation and management with XML of data and metadata Application Requirements Definition of applications requirements for archaeological research support “Buffering” Collection and formalization of specifications and their mapping on the XML infrastructure 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: XML Infrastructure (1) A Data Model based on XML for the representation of: structured (object-oriented) data unstructured (textual) data with extensions to support: (indeterminate) temporal information GIS-like spatial information metadata 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: XML Infrastructure (2) Design and implementation of algorithms for the management of XML data and metadata C++ programs, XSL stylesheets, Perl scrips... Development of SW tools to aid archaeologists in encoding and structuring information sources automatic XML conversion computer-aided document markup 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: XML Infrastructure (3) Unit in Charge: University of Bologna Previous Work: “The Valid Web” encoding and management of temporal information in XML documents, based on timestamping tags and XSL selection SW prototype [EDBT’2000 demo session] 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: Application Requirements (1.1) Representation and management of excavation data concerning the Etruscan-Campanian settlement of Pontecagnano (mid-south. Italy) Definition of descriptive models excavation day, excavation diary, spatial information… Prototype archives concerning recent campaigns Methodologies on deployment of XML in archaeological research 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: Application Requirements (1.2) Unit in Charge: Oriental University Institute of Neaples Previous Work: use of relational databases and GIS for the representation and management of excavation data 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: Application Requirements (2.1) Representation and management of material and written sources (historical texts) concerning the medieval settlement of Pratomagno (Tuscany) Definition of a description language for heterogeneous historical sources Digitisation and markup of sample documents Methodologies on deployment of XML in archaeological research 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

Goal: Application Requirements (2.2) Unit in Charge: University of Florence (Vannini) Previous Work: interest in digitizing the “Historical Geographical Dictionary of Tuscany” by E. Repetti (19th century) 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000 Goal: “Buffering” (1) Resolving the “impedance mismatch” between tecnhologies and user requirements collection of user specifications and their mapping onto the XML infrastructure coordination and interfacing between the units management of checkpoints, feedback, testing… Main role in the development of methodologies 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000

17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000 Goal: “Buffering” (2) Unit in Charge: University of Florence (Niccolucci) Previous Work: use of markup languages and Web tools for archaeological research support, involvement in Project “Repetti” 17th CODATA Conference - Session I-6 - Baveno 2000