Cultural Heritage Imaging

by Michael Ashley

I had the pleasure of being invited to a special congress in Seville this past week. Arqueologica 2.0 is the first international congress on archaeology and informatics held in Spain. The organizers managed to bring together over 200 participants from 17 countries representing over 100 organizations, to discuss and debate virtual archaeology and its role in archaeological practice. I found the congress to be inspirational, exceptionally well run, and mostly a whole lot of fun.

Participants included representatives from some of the most important organizations that work to document, understand, preserve and communicate cultural heritage around the world. In fact, the congress was a truly international gathering of professionals who are passionate about cultural history and memory.

So often, the discussions of computer graphics and archaeology focuses on the divide between technologists and practitioners of the discipline. I was impressed by the efforts of the congress program facilitators to get us to look beyond the fissure and to the mutual benefits of integrating visualization methods into archaeology.

Jane Crawford and Michael Ashley at the opening session at the site of Italica

Throughout the congress, many recommendations and suggestions were forwarded. I mention a few here because they resonate well and I hope we would generally agree are essential to promote the broad adoption of digital technologies in service of archaeology.

Bernie Frischer suggested that future Arqueologica meetings might have workshops to leave behind practical training with participants.

Richard Beacham, co-author of the London Charter on visualization in cultural heritage, called for case studies or pilot projects where we can test ideas and refine procedures in the real world.

Graeme Earl and several others suggested that virtual archaeology methodologies are actually archaeological techniques that must be truly integrated and carried out in archaeological practice.

Mediterranea Project

Many of us were kindly invited to listen to Alfredo Grande discuss the ambitious Mediterranea Project, which seeks to integrate the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean for research and public access and enjoyment. Core to the project is an attention to ‘big blocks’ that are essential to archaeological work practice – documentation and research, conservation and preservation, presentation and information.

One of the highlights of the scientific program was the uniquely organized quick fire plenary session that involved 23 of us lined up in the first row of the auditorium. From the stage, Víctor Manuel López-Menchero Bendicho gave us each <2min. to summarize our opinion on the state of virtual archaeology. This led to a lively debate with many more questions than answers, but there was general consensus that even now in 2009, we are only scratching the surface at the potential for digital archaeology.

Daniel Plentinckx in the spotlight during the rapid fire plenary

Arqueologica 2.0 was the first of what the sponsor organization, the Society for Spanish Virtual Archaeology (SEAV) (also launched at the congress), hope will become an annual event. I hope so, not because the world needs another conference, but because the spirit and enthusiasm expressed by our new friends in Spain is what the world needs.

My favorite quote from the congress was made by a colleague, “It’s more important who you work with than what you work on.” I would work with Alfredo and Victor anytime. I am sure we can find some really important things to do in an enjoyable fashion.

Muchas gracias por todo, nuevos amigos!