On the road toward an Archaeological Knowledge Management System David Gabai – CIO Israel Antiquities Authority

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority2 Legally mandated with responsibility for all archaeological matters including underwater in Israel Main tasks Definition Protection of archaeological sites Research preservation

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority3 Main duties Administrative duties Scientific and research duties

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority4 At the beginning Non computerized data Computerized databases Poor network performance Islands of non standard software applications and data bases

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority5 Non computerized data Data on paper Mandatory period documents paper archives, maps and folders manual notes on excavations sketch plans, section drawings, blue prints Photos Film/negative archives and storage manual marks on negatives Conservation archives separate IAA Library with valuable historical volumes, rare maps

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority6 Computerized databases: Bilingual, Hebrew and English Site administration: basic location data AN Excavation license and permit management system Object storage management only rather than a scientific archaeological database Aleph library system (stand alone without db link for publishing archaeologists) Initial projects management system Publication activities

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority7 The Challenge How to organize and digitize the data How to make an information system that will serve both main purposes: Administrative Scientific and research

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority8 Conclusion We need “Knowledge Management System”

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority9 Knowledge Management - Definition Knowledge management is the art or science of collecting organizational data and, by recognizing and understanding relationships and patterns, turning it into usable, accessible information and valuable knowledge

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority10 Principals Preserving legacy investments Geography as the primary key data Using various views for the different users Users update the data Principal decision to move to digital photo only

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority11 So we started working Effort to integrate data in the databases Increasing the use of organizational project administration tools Paperless archives in computers only In-house development of Desktop/Central database integration tools Trends towards scientific archaeological database Increasing role of digital data and processing methods in publications

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority12 GIS and GPS arena Early desktop systems for local use (ArcView) Centralized database storage of locations Internet Map Services (IMS) for internal use Adding GIS layers Survey system, stand alone Introduction of GPS to field use In-house development of GPS to GIS data uploads In-house development of HTML viewer software and Web service oriented maps on ESRI basis (ArcIMS) Both ESRI SDE and Oracle SDO technologies in use Recently expansion of GPS use to daily activities of IAA Geographic orientation into general integration of data

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority13 Digital photography In-house development of an archive system with client and server and backup system Centralized storage of digital photo archives Database control of images First studio photos of objects Qumran infrared with NASA camera stand alone Field photography by excavators and inspectors Massive logistical and technical challenges with the huge amount of data moving on network, storage

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority14 Scanning Digitizing of Acre Mandatory records with American expedition Currently Jerusalem Mandatory records under work Historical photos Mandatory field maps and archaeological sketch plans Must be extended to all archives, massive backlog and logistical problems scanner and digital camera on tripod, outsourcing in some cases. very large maps (A0 or more) integration of digital archives with projects storage and network challenges

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority15 Intranet/Internet Extensive use of Map Services via Intranet Development of classy WEB site Scholars sharing information via messaging systems, private web sites public services offered via Internet Development of library services via Internet Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) of software New possibilities to sharing and cooperating via Internet with international organizations

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority16 What we had to do to achieve all this ? keep up with the fast development cycles of computer technology Taking the right design decisions, introduction of new technologies Building strong network foundations Attention to end user training and GUI development. IAA is interested in adapting to European/Israeli guidelines and is willing to contribute to the development of exchange of digital data standards. Especially we are looking into XML based solutions.

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority17 What is it all about cadastre survey photos excavations artifacts projects Site visits

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority18 Summary We are really on the road toward an archaeological knowledge management system We passed the “non return point” The coming Intranet Portal will raise the use of the data in the IAA

November 28, 2005 Israel Antiquities Authority19 Credits David Gabai – CIO Dr Mikko Louhivuori - System/DBA Diana Gilbert – application programmer Thanks for listening