Ancient Cyprus webproject

The Ancient Cyprus Web Project is involved with several interesting projects to support the archaeology of Cyprus. Details of some projects are given below. If you would like to become involved in any ACWP activities, or have any suggestions to make, please contact Co-ordinator@ancientcyprus.ac.uk.

1 Publication on the site of papers relevant to the archaeology of Cyprus.

Papers published on the site are indexed at http://www.ancientcyprus.ac.uk/papers/index.html

2 Unpublished excavations. With Dr Kassianidou's permission, we have reproduced the recent resolution at http://www.ancientcyprus.ac.uk/events/unpubconf.html

We hope to build up a register of unpublished and partially-published sites, to facilitate the further study of the sites.

3 A digital map of Cyprus would be of great benefit to those conducting surveys and other work on the island. Maeyama Kimberly has prepared guidance on the available resources - see map 1, map 2 and map 3 - but further assistance / suggestions would be gratefully received.

4 An on-line bibliographic database is being developed for the site. Some bibliographic advice is already available on the site, and more entries will be added soon.

5 A database of images is also being developed. Images sought for the database include drawings, photographs,

5 Some projects will take advantage of new audio and visual technology. This technology will enable conferences and lectures to be relayed over the internet, or recorded for later viewing. Demonstrations on video, for example of on-site conservation technique for students, are also possible.

6 Other projects will include the compilation of information to support the study of Cypriot archaeology, such as sources of funding, centres of study, lists of collections and access arrangements, scholar and project contact details, bulletins on excavations and projects, and excavation reports.

7 We also intend to facilitate access to key documents, particularly out of print papers published in obscure journals, by a programme of digitisation and electronic publication.

For more information, or to offer support, please email
co-ordinator@ancientcyprus.ac.uk

			The emphasis of the ACWP is on co-operation, collaboration and support. The primacy of existing organisations and projects in their respective subject areas (such as the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, University of Cyprus, CAARI, PASP, ETANA etc) will be respected, and close liaison will be maintained at all stages. Data garnered will be in the public domain, and free for academic use. Particular initiatives, such as databases, could be shared with or material donated to other agencies, for example when a Survey Branch in the Department of Antiquities is re-established. Developments will be within the spirit of the policies of the relevant heritage bodies: http://www.european-heritage.net/en/index.html
			Contacts and resources for study On-line collaboration Digital map Databases Video Web publication Texts Website
			TO FACILITATE CONTACTS BETWEEN SCHOLARS http://www.ancientcyprus.ac.uk/people.html email addresses needed for Jean Guilane, Sarah T Stewart, Anthony Snodgrass, Helena Wilde Swiny, Robert J Wozniak, Sarah Vaughan, Gerald Vincent, Pierre Aupert, Charalambos Bakirtzis, Evi Baxevani, Giraud Foster, C Giardino, Edward G Gilbert, Steve Held, Eric Meyers, David Reese ( I have his snail-mail address only), Kate Herrod, Andrew Oliver, J James, Maria Kyriacou, Nolwenn Lecuyer, details of fieldwork on Cyprus. Foreign missions are listed on the CAARI site http://www.caari.org/expeditions.html .Liaise to keep up to date. List doesn't include Cypriot excavation and survey [need help from ARU] need copy of regulations governing archaeological work on Cyprus. Dept of Antiquities + other Ministries, or how to get copies. need details of other research, such as known scholars’ activities, lists of MAs and PhDs in progress programmes / centres of materials sampling and analysis : list of labs doing this work, eg Fitch, Oxford Isotrace, etc. At least one lab building up databank by large-scale prog of sampling East Med soil, but need refs
			TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO CYPRIOT MATERIAL details of the resources available in each country, access arrangements, etc as at http://www.ancientcyprus.ac.uk/Country/austria.html Details needed for all countries For Cyprus, need asap - list of resources, esp field centres, accommodation, [apart from CAARI and LARC] - list phone nos / email of staff / section heads / contacts in Dept Antiquities + Lands and Surveys.
			WEB PUBLICATION DONATED MATERIAL An encouraging number of authors have already agreed to the republication of their work on the ACWP site http://www.ancientcyprus.ac.uk/papers.asp More contributions are invited. OUT-OF-COPYRIGHT MATERIAL Aim: to provide easy access to key publications which are now out of print and difficult to obtain. For researchers outside of major institutions it is often difficult or disproportionately troublesome to obtain papers in defunct journals and books. Scanning of articles is now relatively simple and accurate, and permits the transfer of data to new media, but this must only be carried out within copyright legislation, which varies between countries. -check law on copyright on such articles in Cyprus, USA, Australia. Does EU have common copyright law now? - contact specialist publishers to seek views on donation / purchase for modest sum of old material -Check UCLA Cotsen template, ADS website etc for site publication -best way to publish large volume of data on site - pdf everything?. Scanned texts can be searched, and hyperlinked.
			OLD EXCAVATIONS There is a backlog of excavation reports awaiting study and publication. Publication on the internet is a relatively cheap and quick way of getting this material into the public domain. Some funding already exists for study and publication of this data, eg http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic/white_levy_program.html but is conditional upon the work being carried out full-time. colleagues ideas are sought. If sponsor could be found, system of modest grants conditional on completion of the work (!!). Perhaps grant to senior researcher to cover own time and employ graduate student assistant. Student would do most of time-consuming work, under guidance, share authorship honours, and also become trained in a key set of skills. Also, catalogues and lists could be published in database form, to allow easy interrogation by other scholars. AIA has a programme of grants to support publication -
			TEXTS Dr Nicolle Hirschfeld of PASP has generously agreed that ACWP can make available on the internet her database on Cypriote inscriptions. The database was published in Minos 1996, and has been continously updated since. We hope to make the internet version available this summer, and will inform list colleagues as soon as it is ready for use. Options -straight photographic reproduction -3D computer imaging of inscriptions to permit manipulation of light source, etc -publication of transliterations……. -need note / list of current work and resources ACWP can help other scholars to share their resources on-line. So if you are interested, even if you are not confident using the technology, please contact Co-ordinator@ancientcyprus.ac.uk
			ON-LINE COLLABORATION It would be useful for researchers to be able to work from common data pool, for example on-line databases (perhaps in a “locked off” area inaccessible to public). One project underway is: DIGITAL MAP OF CYPRUS The development of a digital map of all Cyprus is a priority. Aim: to provide map free for academic use. Ultimately, input data from GIS, surveys and fieldwork to shared files. This project will need a home institution, and possibly sponsorship. A working group has been formed - please contact Co-ordinator@ancientcyprus.ac.uk for details
			CUSTOM-BUILT RELATIONAL DATABASE elements to include: BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASE Designed by Paul Reynolds – SQL Server / ASP/ VB. Being tested. Cypriot entries [1956-1998?] from Nestor will then be imported. [rest of site runs on Win 2000 server], then more data will be needed. -Check for ease of use with some db / search progs (eg EndNote). Design filters? -request entries / whole databases from colleagues for importation -request help with manual input of entries IMAGE DATABASE Could include site plans, drawings, photos, images from scientific analysis…. -Design image database, probably in format to tie in with biblio database, eg captions fields will need to be expanded to parallel format in biblio db. -Considerable collections of site photographs already exist. Would these bodies allow their images to be reproduced, perhaps with transparent copyright message over each image to prevent illicit republication? -Perhaps seek blanket approval from major holders to use material from any of their publications [before a certain date?], always with acknowledgement. -Check what holdings exist, and in what format. SITE DATABASE To be linked to digital map, GIS data, etc. Co-ordinates, geomorphology, whatever…. One example of what can be done: http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/
			VIDEO -Need volunteers to record some trial material on Digital Video (eg demonstrations, site / museum tours, lectures. NB permission / copyright / site security issues). Conferences, lectures, etc, could be recorded to widen access, especially to those who would not otherwise be able to participate. Is it possible to limit the audience (by password?) so that only certain people can view? Sponsorship or pay-per-view? -Trial web conferencing, for pairs or groups of collaborators. This would only be feasible for those with fast access eg ADSL, as ordinary access speeds are too slow for “seamless” use. Could use material for little instructional videos for website on field procedures, lifting fragile items when a conservator isn’t available, etc
			WEBSITE Current design is OK in short term, but will need a re-think as structure of site develops. Emphasis must be on ease and speed of use. Navigation system is a priority, as present system is becoming too complex for new users. TECHNICAL Disabled access – no frames, check RNIB guidelines, email the contact in Greece. Need text alternatives to images. Run Bobby check Activate site search engine Need file upload area YAHOO SITE Try to reverse setting that obscures part of email addresses shown in messages. We don’t need this protection, as only members can view messages.
			LONGER TERM IDEAS Negotiate special rates with airlines, vehicle hire, etc Follow up with tech companies on donation of equipment to field centres. Info on interesting people from the past, eg Cesnola, members of expeditions (eg Astrom on Swedish). [check existing material on museum websites, eg Semitic Museum, Harvard]
			If you would like to make a contribution or make a comment, please contact Co-ordinator@ancientcyprus.ac.uk

14/5/01

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Please send any comments or suggestions for the project or website to
Co-ordinator@ancientcyprus.ac.uk

The Ancient Cyprus Web Project is affiliated to the Council for British Research in the Levant

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