Theme:
1. Archaeologists and Archaeology Here and Now
Session format:
Round table (without formal abstracts, only list of confirmed discussants / session co-organisers to be provided)
Title:
Linking Databases for Comparing Research: Do We Need a European Hillfort Information System? [COMFORT]
Content:
The proliferation of web-based geographic interfaces for the investigation of archaeological phenomena naturally leads to the conclusion that super-regional perspectives can now be assembled for numerous archaeological phenomena. Hillforts or fortification are one of the clearest examples of this trend with numerous regional and national scale compilations being made available. The focus of these databases varies from heritage management catalogues, to curated academic and scientific collections and touristic information. We seek to discuss the possibilities for a pan-European database, in terms of both theory and practicality; as well as how such a system might be used to shape future research.
Since the monuments themselves are multifaceted is it possible to apply GIS as a reductive technique to these monuments on such a super-regional or European scale or does it unduly suppress unique analysis and interpretation? Is the shared terminology of “hillfort” appropriate for such a wide area or does it actively obscure a broader spectrum of phenomena in prehistory?
In practical terms for a data base, we ask: Can we provide standardized knowledge and data on hillforts, which would help scientists filter the tremendous amount of information scattered in thousands of articles, publications, excavation reports, and archives according to their specific questions? Does it make sense to combine and link smaller platforms into a monothematic platform to raise awareness, promote hillfort research, and offer easy access to the related data?
It is also necessary to consider how this dataset could grow and develop overtime. Would developing guidelines for documenting hillfort excavations or surveys enable us to unify research questions and make hillfort research comparable? How should we go about incorporating the growing body of both archival and grey literature at our disposal?
The round table aims to connect specialist and interested scholars who use and moderate hillfort specific databases.
Keywords:
Hillforts, Database, Comparability, Europe
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
COMFORT
Main organiser:
Anna Loy (Germany) 1
Co-organisers:
Hans Whitefield (Germany) 2
Loup Bernard (France) 3
Timo Ibsen (Germany) 2
Affiliations:
1. ROOTS Kiel
2. ZBSA Schleswig
3. Université de Strasbourg
THIS SESSION CAN NOT BE SELECTED AT THIS MOMENT