Interconnected data worlds. Workshop on the implementation of CIDOC-CRM

Mon. 23.11. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tue. 24.11. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Target group

• Those developing IT, working with and implementing CIDOC-CRM
• Scientists benefitting from CIDOC-CRM
• Those planning or financing the implementation of CIDOC-CRM

Background / Motivation

A broad range of digital data relating to the antique world are being created and administered in the course of academic research projects at the DAI and the excellence cluster TOPOI Due to the variety of the disciplines involved ranging from different sectors of archaeology (such as Classical Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Egyptology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Early Christian Archaeology) and language sciences (such as Classics, Hebrew Studies and Assyriology) the contents and formal structure of the data is very heterogeneous. These subjects are more and more complemented by space-related disciplines (such as geology, cartography, surveying, remote sensing), certain natural sciences (anthropology, zoology, palaeobotany, geophysics, biology) and architectural studies.
In order to better link the various data in the long term which are, in their majority, administered individually in secluded, separate project-based systems and to be able to collate the same, it was agreed at DAI and TOPOI to use CIDOC-CRM as a joint and binding reference model. In collaboration with the Research Archive for Ancient Sculpture at the University of Cologne a prototype for a semantic-web-browser was developed and first experience gained. The ramifications of this decision for the institutions and scientists involved in terms of technical and contents-related as well as financial and personal resources will be discussed during the workshop.

>Objectives of the workshop

One of the workshop's objectives is to inform archaeologists about CIDOC-CRM and its potentials. While most computer scientists working in humanities/arts have become quite familiar with the reference model, it is rather unknown among actual end users, the academic experts. Therefore, users and developers are invited to come together and think about future research scenarios which are possible through an interlinked infrastructure.
On the other hand, exchange of practical experience in implementing and using systems with CIDOC-CRM is to be facilitated. Based on individual reports discussions will be held whether the requirement of considerable technical and personnel resources when adapting CIDOC-CRM in academic institutions/organizations such as DAI or TOPOI eventually pays off. An important aspect is not only to demonstrate feasibility of CIDOC-CRM solutions based on prototype developments, but also to present the actual handling of current applications that are actually in use.
Given that CIDOC-CRM is often referred to as 'miracle cure' against the fragmentation of digital data bases, it seems only appropriate to provide the interested circles with a realistic perspective in which way heterogeneous information resources can be used reasonably for academic purposes, both in the mid- and the long-term. Another aim is to raise awareness that CIDOC-CRM is not able to resolve all database-related problems by itself, such as the persisting problem of inconsistent glossaries (thesauri) or multilingual databases.

Specific questions

Against this background a number of principle questions arise which will be discussed during the workshop.

• How much work is involved and costs will be incurred in or when transferring existing information systems to a CIDOC-CRM-conform IT architecture or subsequently develop new systems? Is this input rewarding based on a cost-benefit calculation and if so, what is the academic advantage for each individual scientist?
• Where will central works and structures need to be carried out, implemented and maintained independently of individual projects? What needs to be done upfront and what measures will have to be taken by research projects using the data bases?
• What is the actual added value of systems constructed in line with or linked via CIDOC-CRM from a scientist's point-of-view?
• What kind of new research questions will arise from the joint access to various specialist systems?
• Are there any reasonable and useful scenarios regarding a network of specialist systems which could be implemented more effectively through alternative strategies than by using CIDOC-CRM?

Preliminary Schedule/ Working groups

1st Session: What is CIDOC-CRM? (morning, approx. 1.5 hrs)

• Introduction of CIDOC-CRM; for those who are only vaguely or not at all familiar with CIDOC-CRM. What are the objectives? How does it work? Who invented it? What is the purpose of the reference model?
• Target/vision: semantic web & interoperability

2nd Session: How is CIDOC-CRM implemented? (morning, approx. 1.5 hrs)

• Which steps are required to introduce CIDOC-CRM at larger academic institutions?
• What needs to be performed by individual projects? What are the functions of central IT infrastructures?
• What should be considered before implementing new systems?
• Pros and Cons of the practical implementation
• How are consistent glossaries / thesauri implemented?
• How much personnel of which qualification level and how much time is needed to obtain a properly running application?

3rd Session: Why use CIDOC-CRM for academic purposes? (afternoon, approx. 1.5 hrs)

• Scientists who can report about the added value of interlinked, semantic data bases
• Projects/users who have already implemented CIDOC-CRM and are working with it
• Possible new research scenarios and/or results facilitated through CIDOC-CRM
• What are the requirements of scientists regarding new IT systems? What are the deficiencies of the existing resources?

4th Session: What are the alternatives? (afternoon, approx. 1.5 hrs)

• What are the alternative IT strategies for projects where the use of CIDOC-CRM is not possible or does not make sense?
• What are the pros and cons of such alternatives from a technical and specialist point-of-view?
• What can the semantic web look like outside/beyond CIDOC-CRM?

Organization

Felix Schäfer, Archäologisches Institut der Universität, Cologne
Robert Kummer, Historisch-Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung, Cologne
Undine Lieberwirth, Excellencecluster TOPOI, Berlin
Carlos Saro, ZUSE-Institut, Berlin
Rainer Komp, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Berlin

Download

Concept of the workshop

cidoc-crm_workshop_20091123 (PDF, 220 KB)

Place : Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Podbielskialle 69-71, 14195 Berlin-Dahlem
begins : 23.11.2009
finish date : 

If you are interested in attending the above workshop, please register by 15 November by email to felix.f.schaefer@gmail.com. Attending the workshop is free of charge. an.