|
| Methodological approaches to Historical GIS |
| AAG 2008 Boston, April 17th, 2008 -- 5:20pm to 7:00pm [Westin Hotel, 3rd Floor, St. George C] |
| Chair |
Peter Bol |
Center for Geographic Analysis, Harvard University |
| Organizers |
Merrick Lex Berman |
China Historical GIS, Harvard University |
|
Ian Gregory |
Digital Humanities, Lancaster University |
| Discussant |
Ian Gregory |
Digital Humanities, Lancaster University |
| Session Abstract |
|
The emergence of Historical GIS projects over the last decade has provided us with a variety of datasets and data models to use in our research. In some cases the HGIS projects are focused on providing a basic infrastructure for the historical geography of a particular region, in other cases the HGIS projects developed innovative tools for spatiotemporal analysis. This session will focus on practical approaches to Historical GIS with four case studies: first, how to develop applications for the study of change over time that makes use of existing Historical GIS data. Second, the representation of historical enumeration districts and how to use and interpret measures of spatial segregation. Third, the examination of cartographic uncertainty in georeferencing ancient maps. And fourth, an examination of the structural content of both Print Historical Atlases and Historical GIS. |
| Analysis of Change Over Time Using CHGIS Datasets and WEB 2.0 Technology |
| Presenters |
Dagmar Schaefer |
Max Planck Institute for the History of Science |
|
Lex Berman |
China Historical GIS |
| Paper Abstract |
|
The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is developing a web-based analytical tool for the study of the dissemination of technological innovations over time and space. The tool being developed makes use of existing Historical GIS datasets developed by the China Historical GIS project (a colloboration of Fudan University and Harvard University). The user interface will allow for distributed data entry and will present the results of database queries via Google Earth maps and other reporting tools. The current project is an initiative undertaken within the framework of the ECHO (European Cultural Heritage Online) Framework. |
| Mapping Neighborhoods and Households in U.S. Cities in 1880 |
| Introducer |
John Logan |
Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences, Brown University |
| Presenters |
Jason Bryan Jindrich |
Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences, Brown University |
|
Qiang Cai |
Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences, Brown University |
| Paper Abstract |
|
The lack of enumeration district (ED) descriptions for many
of the largest cities of the 1880 US census has been a major
restriction upon spatial analyses based on the complete digital
manuscript transcribed by the Church of Latter Day Saints. Changes in
the street network and house numbering are an obstacle to geocoding of
individual households. This paper describes the procedures developed
to surmount these limitations. EDs are identified using a combination
of known political boundaries, street listings from city directories,
and geocoded street intersections and addresses using contemporary
TIGER files. ED boundaries are then exploited as an additional input
to correct address ranges in street segments. The process is designed
to minimize laborious editing of address attributes. The result is a
reliable map of enumeration districts and a point location of every
household. In cities that had not adopted rationalized house
numbering in 1880, additional editing of address attributes using
Sanborn maps or other sources is required. |
| Unearthing uncertainty: A case study in georeferencing the Yujitu |
| Presenter |
Alexander Akin |
Dept of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University |
| Paper Abstract |
|
Numerous scholars have in recent decades cited the Yujitu (Map of the Tracks of
Yu), engraved on a stone stele in 1136, as a precocious technical marvel of
medieval China. The network of clearly recognizable river courses it depicts
against a regular graticule immediately strikes the contemporary viewer as a
surprisingly modern map. Upon closer examination, however, we find that the
Yujitu combines spatial data derived from several very different types of
sources, including texts describing places that we would today consider
mythological. In some instances it is uncertain whether a given feature
represents a real place, or if so, which one. The process of georeferencing the
Yujitu, a project undertaken with the cooperation of David Rumsey, forces us to
reckon with the ambiguities of 12th century data in a manner evaded by earlier
scholars who emphasized the map’s hydrological accuracy rather than the
problems raised by its inclusion of material from historical documents and
pseudo-historical sources. The very nature of the map, originally erected at a
school as a tool for teaching both geography and the exploits of ancient
sage-kings, makes it difficult to tally its intentions with the objective
expectations of historical GIS software. In considering the map’s original
context, we are impelled to reconsider the meaning of our conclusions as to its
objective accuracy. |
| Spatiotemporal Primitives in Print Historical Atlases and Historical GIS |
| Presenter |
Karl Grossner |
Dept of Geography, UC Santa Barbara |
| Paper Abstract |
|
The digital historical atlas is an emerging genre of information system and
cartographic product that shares many qualities and functional requirements
with historical geographic information systems (HGIS)—another category of
computational tools being used and developed by historical researchers in
the social sciences and humanities. Both model aspects of human history in
geodatabases, and both require temporal and semantic extensions to existing
spatially oriented GIS data models. This research examines the structure and
content of existing historical atlases—both print and digital—and HGIS
projects, with respect to spatial, temporal and thematic coverage. This
preliminary step in the development of a high-level ontological framework
and exemplar data models for spatial history and historical geography should
help to enable a new class of digital historical atlases. |
| AAG Group Sponsors of this Paper Session |
for more information, please contact the organizers at: chgis AT fas DOT harvard DOT edu
|
