Dissemination in archaeology: a GIS-based StoryMap for Chan Chan
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 5 July 2019
Issue publication date: 23 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of exploiting a geographic information system (GIS)-based data management, designed and implemented for an important monumental site. In particular, data collected during the years have been used to create a storytelling experience to disseminate the tangible and intangible heritage of Chan Chan (Peru), the wider site in mud bricks of Latin America.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper discusses the steps that have been performed to use the data stored in a GIS, arguing over the importance of sharing the knowledge through web-based tools, and in particular by the implementation of a storytelling. In this context, the data were structured in interoperable forms in order to preserve the universal value of the archaeological site. The exploitation in an all-in-one solution of the archival research, field surveys and planning represents a step forward for let known ancient testimonies to the whole mankind.
Findings
The GIS-based inventories represent the backbone for an affordable management of heritage resources. The novelty of the proposed approach lies on the creation of an integrated, accessible and updatable data system sharable on web.
Originality/value
The GIS of Chan Chan is an example of documentation of a wide archaeological area (14 km2) with complex and heterogeneous data. The developed web tool makes use of these data which can be queried even by non-expert users. The pipeline of this paper can act as useful guidelines to practitioners and researchers who want to disseminate cultural information.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
On the occasion of this paper which contributes decisively to the knowledge of Chan Chan and to the diffusion of the work of the Italian Mission in Peru, it is obligatory to thank the institutions and the people who have made this work possible. Therefore, the authors would like to thank the Ministerio de Cultura and in particular Dr ra Ana Maria Hoyle Montalva, the ITABC and the colleagues who took part in the studies and the Università Politecnica delle Marche. A special thanks goes to Simone Mazzieri who carried out the data organization work as part of his thesis. The work was made possible thanks to the contribution of the MAECI.
Citation
Malinverni, E.S., Pierdicca, R., Colosi, F. and Orazi, R. (2019), "Dissemination in archaeology: a GIS-based StoryMap for Chan Chan", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 500-519. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-07-2018-0048
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited