Digital preservation (Cultural Heritage)

In recent years, many Asian cities have invested in the digitalization of cultural heritage, and participatory digital archiving platforms have also been developed. These innovations are widely lauded for their potential to rejuvenate heritage, reach out to youths in the public domain, and fostering participation and interaction through engaging activities. While the intention to leave a heritage as a legacy for the younger generation has always been the foundational objective of heritage policies, young publics are rarely envisaged as stakeholders in top-level planning of heritage strategies.
The special issue call submissions that provide a better understanding of how digital tools can be used for mobilising activities core to cultural heritage and within the process, engage both institutions and grassroots communities such as young people as stakeholders. The special issue aims to both address and reflects upon the myriad opportunities and challenges that the use of new technologies have raised in the process of preserving cultural heritage in Asia so as to leave a legacy for our new generation. Especially focusing on the young generation as important heritage stakeholders and to investigate their role in the articulation between heritage and sustainable development.
Questions for the special issue are included but not limited to:
What are the necessary social, economic, and political conditions for leveraging the power of digital technology that can engage with the younger generations? What are the limits of audience interaction and participation in the digitalization of cultural heritage? How do young generations interact with cultural heritage within virtual and physical spaces? What can we do to empower and facilitate cooperation between governments, cultural and academic institutions in a way that engages with the young generations in digital heritage projects? What are the implications of such collaborations for heritage preservation and sustainable development?
Submission
• Closing date of submission window: 5th July 2022
• Scheduled publication date: May 2023
• Full papers should be submitted through the JCHMSD ScholarOne Manuscripts and will be
subject to the peer review procedures. Please register and access:
https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jchmsd
• Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/jchmsd?_ga=2.208294416.383106498.164 4286268-775555333.1612172152#author-guidelines

Changing weather patterns, increasing frequency and intensity of natural hazards, and rising sea levels associated with global climate change have the potential to threaten cultural heritage sites worldwide. This is especially the case for maritime heritage sites located in the low-lying coastal and delta regions of Asia. Maritime heritage can reflect both highly localized cultural products based on the coupling of people and maritime environments and the historic footprints of complex maritime networks that connect people, ideas, and material over vast distances, creating unique cultural spheres. Furthermore, maritime heritage sites potentially serve as or contain records of how past societies have been impacted by and adapted to past environmental stress. Therefore, their degradation threatens local/regional/global cultural patrimony as well as evidence of human resilience and fragility in the face of environmental change. This makes a strong case for urgent preservation. However, the possible damage caused by climate change and the scale of vulnerable maritime heritage pose seemingly insurmountable challenges. In this paper, we present the ways in which maritime heritage sites across Asia are vulnerable to environmental stresses, such as changing sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding, and storm surges. Our objective is to draw upon our experience documenting endangered cultural heritage across South and Southeast Asia to illustrate that there are unique conceptual and practical characteristics of maritime heritage that complicate effective management and conservation efforts on the scale required to prevent massive loss by climate change. We conclude by stressing the need to reconceptualize debates about the custody and stewardship of maritime heritage and the urgency of employing a wide range of innovative preservation solutions to ensure maritime patrimony is not lost to the rising tides.

O advento das tecnologias da informação ocasionou a demanda por documentos digitais, com isto, uma quantidade significativa de documentos com necessidades de preservação em longo prazo começou a ser produzida exclusivamente em meio digital. Entretanto, o cenário das tecnologias é marcado por constantes avanços que vão deixando as tecnologias obsoletas em ciclos cada vez mais curtos. Este artigo aborda as manifestações da obsolescência em nível de suporte e tem como objetivo realizar uma reflexão sobre as estratégias de refrescamento. Desta forma, são enfatizadas práticas desta estratégia que minimizam os impactos da obsolescência tecnológica. O método utilizado consiste na revisão de materiais previamente publicados, os dados coletados são analisados de forma qualitativa e posteriormente discutem-se as vantagens e desvantagens do refrescamento. Por fim, destaca-se o papel fundamental do refrescamento na preservação em longo prazo e apontam-se algumas limitações quanto a sua implementação.

PRESERVATION OF DIGITAL DOCUMENTS:
reflections on the strategies of refreshment

ABSTRACT

The advent of information technology has led to demand for digital documents, thus, a significant amount of documents with need long-term preservation began to be produced exclusively in digital. However, the scenario of technologies is marked by constant advances that will leave obsolete technologies in increasingly shorter cycles. This article discusses the manifestations of obsolescence in support level and aims to conduct a study of the refresh strategies. Thus, are emphasized practices this strategy that minimizes the impacts of technological obsolescence. The method used is to review material previously published, the collected data is analyzed qualitatively and then discusses the advantages and disadvantages of refreshing. Finally, we highlight the key role of refreshing in the long-term preservation and pointed out some limitations on its implementation.

What are the leading tools and archives in digital cultural heritage? How can they be integrated into research infrastructures to better serve their intended audiences? In this book, authors from a wide range of countries, representing some of the best research projects in digital humanities related to cultural heritage, discuss their latest findings, both in terms of new tools and archives, and how they are used (or not used) by both specialists and by the general public. [PAGE ONLY,  TO READ GO TO ROUTLEDGE WEBSITE]

Although our practice has come to be defined by a focus on excavation as the trademark of archaeological research, research on archaeological collections lies at the scientific heart of the discipline. We demonstrate through two very different case studies how a return to primary sources (in this case, boxes of artifacts) can upend our understanding of the objects themselves and create new narratives of social and technological change. At the same time, access to museum collections is becoming increasingly difficult as institutions struggle with the growing pressure to enhance public outreach and modernize data management, while simultaneously contending with persistent budget cuts. As archaeologists who work closely with museum curators and museum collections, we offer suggestions for how researchers can work with museums to ensure that future generations of researchers and the general public can learn from the ancient materials preserved within their collections.

Historical buildings are the outcome of processes of modification and stratification occurred over centuries.  The study of archival documents, building phases and constructive elements are very important for the historical-critical analysis, because these elements are witnesses of cultures, events and actors occurred during time. BIM roots on architectural design, but recent applications dedicated to architectural heritage show interesting potentialities. In particular the advanced possibilities of deriving 3D models from point clouds and the opportunity to enrich the object attributes with dedicated databases. In this way BIM can favor visual computing, and knowledge and design processes thanks to the possibility to “include” historical transformations and constructive systems, and be a core aggregator for documentation.
Aim of the paper is to present a study on BIM as tool both for 3D and archival data and information management and analysis, correlating the 3D model with a dedicated digital archive. Therefore 3D modeling and database modeling are developed symmetrically, according to a common semantization organization and levels of detail.

This article examines the heritage destruction undertaken by the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. To date, their iconoclasm has been mostly characterised either as acts of wanton barbarism devoid of religious or political justification, or as a cynical performance designed as a mass media spectacle. Drawing on a systematic analysis of two key IS propaganda outlets – their on-line magazine, Dabiq, and the various slick films released by Al-Hayat – this article argues that the heritage destruction perpetrated by the IS are not only situated within a carefully articulated theological framework and key to the creation of a new and ideologically pure ‘Islamic State’, but that they are also constituted by several complex layers of religious and political iconoclasm. To demonstrate, this article documents the iconoclasm undertaken by the IS along two key axes: Symbolic Sectarianism (Shia and Sufi mosques and shrines); and Pre-Monotheistic Iconoclasm (ancient polytheistic sites). Attacks on key sites within these categories, such as the Sayyida Zaynab shrine in Damascus or the Mosul Museum, not only adhere to their religious and political framework but also serve broader geo-political agendas and are attacked as proxy targets for their physical and ideological opponents.

The cultural heritage of medieval Sicily faces enormous challenges. Rich and diverse as it is, it is beset by numerous problems that have rendered it fragile and often inaccessible. The situation is such that many sites are unsigned. Others are very difficult to get to. And even others – ones that are more easily located – have erratic hours, essentially locking out the average visitor to Sicily unless they are willing to invest the time and have the language skills necessary to persuade residents in the surrounding area to get the access keys.

Given these challenges, we are developing The Norman Sicily Project to document the cultural heritage of medieval Sicily during its Norman period (in other words, c. 1061-1194) so that a wide audience can learn about what was once there and what still remains. The site attempts to reconstruct what we know about the society by bringing together images, documents, basic identifying information, geolocation data and, in some cases, videos, using modern web development techniques. It also offers genealogical information and visualization tools that can help visitors understand the data in new ways. The intention is that the project will offer scholars, students and the general public who are interested in Norman Sicily the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with each other while suggesting a web-based model for other medieval communities.

Os avanços das tecnologias da informação contribuíram para a disseminação de suas ferramentas na sociedade. Da mesma forma, estas ferramentas foram introduzidas no campo arquivístico, resultando no advento do documento arquivístico digital. Sua rápida introdução na Arquivologia trouxe dúvidas em relação a sua autenticidade e confiabilidade quando preservados em longo prazo. Desta forma, este artigo tem por objetivo demonstrar o papel da diplomática contemporânea na preservação digital. Partindo dessa abordagem interdisciplinar, juntamente com os fundamentos da preservação digital, podem-se obter documentos arquivísticos digitais autênticos, promovendo o acesso contínuo em longo prazo.

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CONTEMPORARY DIPLOMATIC IN PRESERVATION OF DIGITAL RECORDS

ABSTRACT
Advances in information technology have contributed to the spread of their tools in society. Likewise, these tools are introduced in the archival field, resulting in the advent of digital record. Its rapid introduction into Archival Science brings up doubts about its authenticity and trustworthiness when preserved in long term. Thus, this article aims to demonstrate the role of contemporary diplomatic digital preservation. From this interdisciplinary approach, along with the basics of digital preservation, can be obtained authentic digital record, providing continuous access in the long term.

It is with an increasing tendency that works of art produced with the help of technology (such as video, sound, image, code, virtual reality, augmented reality, kinetic, digital and physical hybridities), or that require technology to work (such as hardware or software) are being included into various art collections. How these artworks would be carried into the future considering the rapidly advancing technology becomes a conundrum for all cultural institutions responsible for conserving cultural heritage. As a response to these needs, The Technological Arts Preservation Project has come into existence with the cooperation of Sakıp Sabancı Museum and Sabancı University. The project was initiated on May 23, 2019 when Osman Serhat Karaman, Sakıp Sabancı Museum digitalSSM Archive and Research Space Manager, invited Selçuk Artut, faculty member of Sabancı University Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Program to give a speech on the issue.

The Technological Arts Preservation Project aims at cooperation and information-sharing between professionals from various disciplines and areas of expertise. Scholars, media theorists, researchers, digital art conservators, curators and artists, software engineers, and computer scientists from significant institutions such as INA (Institut national de l'audiovisuel), Rhizome, Tate Modern, ZKM have contributed to the research project that gained international status. Within the scope of the project between November 15, 2019 and November 20, 2020, nine conferences and a workshop have been conducted on the preservation of software-based art, preservation of virtual reality, media archaeology, net art and web archiving. Our aim in organizing these conferences and workshops was to contribute to the international research in carrying both digital art and digital culture into the future, to discuss the results of new research, and to develop new and interdisciplinary modes of cooperation. We have reached a total number of 2000 participants through these events we have organized within the scope of the project, continuing our efforts online due to the pandemic, beginning from May 2020.

Presently, technological arts preservation is a common issue. Many problems such as erased digital photos, unrepairable, broken backup units, or records that would fall into oblivion due to discontinued media players now constitute a significant part of our daily lives. However, in terms of artworks, it is of vital importance that the matter should be handled with an interdisciplinary point of view within the context of preservation of cultural values. The book you have in front of you was prepared with great care and in awareness of the aforementioned responsibilities. Bringing together esteemed scholars, leading figures in arts and culture, artists as well as scientists, all expert names in their respective fields, this study includes comprehensive texts approaching the issue from different points of view. Consisting of three sections, the first part of the publication includes in-depth essays, the second part brings together content created based on the events we have conducted, and lastly, the third part chronicles answers of the artists to a questionnaire on the preservation of their work. We hope that this book will constitute a well-rounded source for those who have a sensibility for the very cultural values that make us human and how they may be carried into the future; we sincerely hope it will light the way for similar studies in the future.

Objetivo. Este estudo realiza uma breve reflexão sobre a preservação de documentos arquivísticos digitais, destacando a relação entre as políticas institucionais, as estratégias de preservação digital, e os sistemas informatizados de gestão e preservação.

Método. Consiste no levantamento bibliográfico de materiais previamente publicados das áreas de Arquivologia e Ciência da informação, resultando em um artigo de revisão assistemática. As fontes consultadas consistem em livros, teses, textos em sites da internet e artigos científicos de periódicos indexados no Google Scholar, com um recorte temporal referente aos últimos vinte anos.

Resultados. A literatura pesquisada conduz a necessidade de se definir, previamente, as políticas de preservação digital, e após, implementaros sistemas informatizados para gestão e preservação, mantendo altos níveis de interoperabilidade. Além disto, salienta-se a questão de manter uma cadeia de custódia ininterrupta que contemple as três idades do ciclo de vida dos documentos.

Conclusões. Este estudo sintetiza aspectos de um sistema de preservação digital gerido basicamente em duas etapas distintas, porém interoperáveis. Desta forma, reforça as discussões sobre a cadeia de custódia documental e interoperabilidade entre as normas, os sistemas informatizados e os demais softwares utilizados no acervo.


Abstract
Objective. This study makes a brief reflection on the preservation of digital records, highlighting the relationship between institutional policies, digital preservation strategies, and computerized systems of management and preservation.

Method. It consists of the lifting of  bibliographic material previously published in the areas of Archival Science and Information Science, resulting in an unsystematic review article. Consulted sources consist of books, theses, texts on websites and scientific journal articles indexed in Google Scholar, with a time frame for the last twenty years.

Results. The literature leads to the need to define in advance the policies of digital preservation, and after, implementing computerized systems for management and preservation, maintaining high levels of interoperability. In addition, it is noted the issue of keeping an unbroken chain of custody covering the three ages of the document life cycle.

Conclusions. This study synthesizes aspects of a digital preservation system basically managed in two distinct stages, but interoperable. This reinforces the discussions on the chain of documentary custody and interoperability between standards, computerized systems and other software used in the collection.

Este artigo perpassa a ideia do documento arquivístico digital como parte integrante do patrimônio cultural, e posteriormente, descrevem-se aspectos pertinentes à sua preservação. Para isto são abordadas questões referentes à garantia de acesso a documentos autênticos no longo prazo. A discussão concentra-se na relação entre estratégias de preservação, repositórios digitais, modelo OAIS, linha de custódia ininterrupta, e atividades de auditoria e certificação. Dentre os apontamentos finais, destaca-se a necessidade de sintetizar os conhecimentos discutidos a fim de fornecer subsídios teóricos para facilitar a sua aplicação no âmbito da arquivística.

This article pervades the idea of the digital record as an integral part of the cultural heritage, and later, it describes pertinent aspects to its preservation. For this, issues related to guaranteeing access to authentic records in the long term are addressed. The discussion focuses on the relationship between preservation strategies, digital repositories, OAIS model, uninterrupted custody line, and audit and certification activities. Among the final notes, it is necessary to synthesize the knowledge discussed in order to provide theoretical subsidies to facilitate its application in the archival science.