Media Vault Program

U.C. Berkeley Digital Nineveh Archive

Michael Ashley, (PI: Eleanor Wilkinson)

The aim of this Project is to create a digital database consisting of the field documentation generated by the UC Berkeley Expedition during a comprehensive program of archaeological survey and excavation in Nineveh during 1987, 1989 and 1990.

Recovering Iraq’s Past: The Digital Nineveh Archive Project (DNA)
 
This project is funded through a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities Recovering Iraq’s Past award. The aim of this project is to create a digital database consisting of the field documentation generated by the UC Berkeley Expedition during three seasons of archaeological investigation in Nineveh, Iraq, between 1987 and 1990. These records include a comprehensive program of excavation, archaeological survey, and topographic mapping. The available records will be digitized and geographically coordinated within a three-dimensional matrix. The data will be presented on an open-access website intended for excavators and others engaged in archaeological, museum or conservation work relating to the site, as well as for the general public. This project boasts a diverse team from several different institutions and departments working together to document Iraq’s cultural heritage.
 
View announcements relating to NEH: Recovering Iraq’s Heritage on the DNA blog site.
 
People:

* David Stronach, Principle Investigator, UC Berkeley
* Eleanor Barbanes Wilkinson, Principle Investigator (Lead) Durham University
* Tony Wilkinson, Senior Advisor, Durham University
* Michael Ashley, Information Architect, UC Berkeley
* Adrian Van Allen, Web Design and Graphics
* Noah Wittman, Advisor, Open Knowledge and the Public Interest, UC Berkeley
* Elizabeth Lee, Project Manager, CyArk High Definition Heritage Network
* Waleed Al-Sadeeqi, Arabic translator, Durham University
* Eric Kansa, Open Context data architect, Alexandria Archive Institute
* Steve Lumsden, Consultant, Director Nineveh Lower Town Project
* Diana Pickworth, Research and Content Contributor, UC Berkeley

Organizations:

* Department of Near Eastern Studies, UC Berkeley
* Office of the CIO / Information Services and Technology, UC Berkeley
* CyArk High Definition Heritage Network
* World Monuments Fund
* Global Heritage Fund
* Alexandria Archive Institute – Open Context
* Durham University, UK
* The British Museum, UK
* Adrian Van Allen, independent graphic and web artist

Objectives

The MVP will provide the archival location for all media and data assets throughout the collaborative phase of the project. Assets will be collected from partners internationally, and the MVP will allow all partners to use one set of services in order to coordinate the efforts.

Criteria for Success

Ideally, the MVP will provide permanent storage of the assets and permanent URLs that we can build upon. If not, then it is hoped that the MVP-POC will provide a roadmap for the permanent housing of this important digital heritage collection.  Many connections to and from the assets will be made during the project. It is hoped that the DNA research archive will function similarly to the one established for Remixing Catalhoyuk (see http://okapi.berkeley.edu/res/sites/life/).

Media and Sizing

The number of assets for DNA is relatively small, probably less than 1000 total. It is likely to take less than 1000MB to house the archive.

Expected Users

Contributors to the actual POC (those with access rights as contributors) will be fairly limited. Estimates are 5 contributors, 5 content providers, several hundred viewers, could reach thousands indirectly through the many channels we will distribute derivatives in.

Timing

Site launch is expected in mid November, 2007. An important dissemination event will be a workshop for Iraqi scholars on the project: Nineveh in a New Era, A workshop hosted by Department of Archaeology, Durham University, England, 18-20 December 2007.