Information Modelling for Archaeology and Anthropology: Software Engineering Principles for Cultural Heritage

This unique text/reference reviews the key principles and techniques in conceptual modelling which are of relevance to specialists in the field of cultural heritage.

Information modelling tasks are a vital aspect of work and study in such disciplines as archaeology, anthropology, history, and architecture. Yet the concepts and methods behind information modelling are rarely covered by the training in cultural heritage-related fields. With the increasing popularity of the digital humanities, and the rapidly growing need to manage large and complex datasets, the importance of information modelling in cultural heritage is greater than ever before. To address this need, this book serves in the place of a course on software engineering, assuming no previous knowledge of the field.

Topics and features:

• Presents a general philosophical introduction to conceptual modelling
• Introduces the basics of conceptual modelling, using the ConML language as an infrastructure
• Reviews advanced modelling techniques relating to issues of vagueness, temporality and subjectivity, in addition to such topics as metainformation and feature redefinition
• Proposes an ontology for cultural heritage supported by the Cultural Heritage Abstract Reference Model (CHARM), to enable the easy construction of conceptual models
• Describes various usage scenarios and applications of cultural heritage modelling, offering practical tips on how to use different techniques to solve real-world problems

This interdisciplinary work is an essential primer for tutors and students (at both undergraduate and graduate level) in any area related to cultural heritage, including archaeology, anthropology, art, history, architecture, or literature. Cultural heritage managers, researchers, and professionals will also find this to be a valuable reference, as will anyone involved in database design, data management, or the conceptualization of cultural heritage in general.

Dr. Cesar Gonzalez-Perez  is a Staff Scientist at the Institute of Heritage Sciences (Incipit), within the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Table of Contents

Part I Introduction to Conceptual Modelling
Chapter 1 What Is Conceptual Modelling?​
Chapter 2 Premises And Foundations Of Conceptual Modelling
Chapter 3 Benefits And Applications Of Conceptual Modelling

Part II The Basics of Conceptual Modelling
Chapter 4 Objects
Chapter 5 Classes
Chapter 6 Attributes
Chapter 7 Enumerated Types
Chapter 8 Associations
Chapter 9 Generalization And Specialization

Part III Advanced Conceptual Modelling
Chapter 10 Advanced Enumerated Types
Chapter 11 Advanced Features
Chapter 12 Advanced Generalization
Chapter 13 Model Architecture
Chapter 14 Vagueness
Chapter 15 Temporality
Chapter 16 Subjectivity
Chapter 17 Feature Redefinition
Chapter 18 Metainformation

Part IV A Model of Cultural Heritage
Chapter 19 An Ontology For Cultural Heritage
Chapter 20 Overview Of Charm
Chapter 21 Charm General Concepts
Chapter 22 Tangible Entities
Chapter 23 Agents
Chapter 24 Manifestations And Performative Entities
Chapter 25 Occurrences
Chapter 26 Abstract Entities
Chapter 27 Representations
Chapter 28 Valorizations
Chapter 29 Derived Entities

Part V Applying Conceptual Modelling
Chapter 30 Modelling Patterns
Chapter 31 Constructing Quality Models
Chapter 32 The Modelling Process
Chapter 33 Extending Models
Chapter 34 Developing Database Systems