Computing, GIS and Archaeology in the UK

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) in the UK has recently decided to withdraw funding from the Arts and Humanities Data Service (AHDS). The AHDS has been fundamental in developing best practices for the storage and preservation of digital data for use by researchers in the humanities over the last eleven years. Not only that, but the AHRC appears to have taken no steps at all to ensure the long term preservation of the AHDS data.

The AHRC’s own statement on this subject seems to miss the point of digital preservation somewhat. I quote:

“The context within which the AHDS was initially supported by the AHRC has changed. Much technical knowledge is now readily available within HEIs, either from IT support services or from academics. Much that generally can be safely assumed now, for example that web sites can be put together and run effectively for the duration of a project, could not be assumed ten years ago. Council believes that long term storage of digital materials and sustainability is best dealt with by an active engagement with HEIs rather than through a centralised service.”

Yes, lots of people can design websites, but a) that’s not the same as digital data storage, and b) the statement says the website should be up for the duration of the project, with no provision for longterm storage.

The Archaeological Data Service (ADS), originally part of the AHDS, has been asked to apply for funding in it’s own right, which is marginally more positive but the decision to stop funding the AHDS after eleven years shows how tenuous their position is, even if they get the funding.

If you’re a UK resident, then an e-petition has been set up to urge the government to intervene and get the AHDS to reconsider their decision. Please sign it!

After CAA 2007 I blogged about the talks that I had found most interesting and though-provoking, and one of those was from Mia Ridge at the Museum of London. She has now put this talk online, so I thoroughly recommend taking a look.

Leif has a thought-provoking post up that raises the idea of an ecosystem approach to data-dissemination. In other words, that we should be building a communities of standards-compliant data-providers who can all share each other’s data. Both the new Heritage Gateway, and Swish (representing Scotland and Wales) are planning to allow dissemination of data via web-services at some point, depending on the setup of the individual councils that are providing the data.

Leif says he’ll buy a pint for the first council who allow access to their data in this way- but I think he’s trying to bribe the wrong people really… what about the makers of the software that the council are using? Large numbers of councils are using HBSMR from Exegesis and GGP- when are they planning to provide web-services as part of their software packages?