Aggregating Classical Datasets with Linked Data
David Scott & Mike Jackson (Edinburgh)
Institute of Classical Studies Digital Seminar 2011
Friday June 10th at 16:30, in Room 37, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU
The SPQR project (http://spqr.cerch.kcl.ac.uk) addresses the integration of heterogeneous datasets relating to Classical antiquity. SPQR has been evaluating Semantic Web and Linked Data technologies to solve problems identified by the LaQuAT (Linking and Querying of Ancient Texts) project. LaQuAT concluded that using a relational database model to integrate such datasets does not provide an intuitive way for researchers to explore the data as a whole.
We have written scripts to convert EpiDoc XML data (including Inscriptions of Aphrodisias, Inscriptions of Roman Tripolitania and HGV) into Linked Data. Links between the data sets are via common concepts such as classes of material. Links are also created to relevant third-party Linked Data resources, including the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places and the Geonames geographical database. By conformance to ontologies proposed by PELAGIOS and Europeana we facilitate the linking in to our data by these projects.
Our aim is to demonstrate that Linked Data allows researchers more readily to understand enriched Classical datasets and exploit these to the benefit of their research. To this end, we'll outline some experiences of researchers and their opinions and views of the Linked Data we have produced, and what tools they may require to explore Linked Data productively.
ALL WELCOME
The seminar will be followed by wine and refreshments.