A Model for Transferring Legacy Datasets to Living Documents: A Case Study Using A GIS Geodatabase for Archiving

Author(s): David M. Plaza

Year: 2012

Summary

Archaeology is faced with the inherent problem of managing legacy datasets. Often these datasets are in a state of disrepair, thus rendering them almost useless and difficult to properly archive or to integrate into the current archaeological dialogue. Unfortunately, this is a common issue and there is not much literature on the subject. To address this dilemma, an examination of the condition of the paper documents of a legacy dataset is needed. In this research, I will review the preservation methods of paper documents as a first step to archiving. In addition, a geographic information system (GIS) geodatabase will be used to convert a legacy dataset to an electronic database for archival purposes. The advantages of an electronic database in archiving archaeological research is the ability to easily exchange, store, update, reorganize and adapt data for various types of analyses. Geodatabases add a visual geographic context that is intuitive. This model is a living documents approach that offers transparency and accessibility to multiple disciplines. Furthermore, I will present a case study of a model that will give a conceptual framework to transfer legacy datasets to living documents for duplication or adaptation to other similar legacy datasets.

Cite this Record

A Model for Transferring Legacy Datasets to Living Documents: A Case Study Using A GIS Geodatabase for Archiving. David M. Plaza. Presented at 2012 Society of American Archivist Research Forum. 2012 ( tDAR id: 391354) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8S183B6

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URL: http://files.archivists.org/researchform/2012/PDFS/Plaza-ResearchForumPoster1...


Keywords

Culture
Ancestral Puebloan • Archaic • Armijo Phase • Bajada Phase • Early Archaic • En Medio Phase • Euroamerican • Historic • Jay Phase • Late Archaic • Loma Alta Phase • Middle Archaic • Oshara Tradition • PaleoIndian • San Jose Phase • Sky Village Phase • Spanish • Trujillo Phase

Material
Chipped Stone • Dating Sample • Fauna • Ground Stone • Human Remains • Macrobotanical • Pollen

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Collections Research • Data Recovery / Excavation • Environment Research • Heritage Management • Methodology, Theory, or Synthesis • Reconnaissance / Survey • Research Design / Data Recovery Plan • Systematic Survey

General
Anasazi Origins Project • Archaic Artifacts • Archaic Cultures • Archaic Environment • Ground Stones

Geographic Keywords
Arroyo Cuervo • New Mexico • Northern Southwest

Temporal Keywords
Archaic • Armijo Phase • Bajada Phase • Basketmaker II • Basketmaker III • En Medio Phase • Jay Phase • Loma Alta Phase • Oshara Tradition • Pueblo I • San Jose Phase • Sky Village Phase • Trujillo Phase

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: -5500 to 400 (Oshara Tradition / Archaic)

Calendar Date: 400 to 700 (Basketmaker)

Calendar Date: -9500 to -6000 (Paleoindian)

Calendar Date: 700 to 850 (Pueblo I)

Spatial Coverage

min long: -107.136; min lat: 35.228 ; max long: -106.625; max lat: 35.653 ;

File Information

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a-model-for-transferring-legacy-datasets-to-living-documents.pdf 626.50kb Aug 9, 2013 9:29:49 PM Public