‘Meta’ Databases and a Critical Assessment of Digitization in Classical Studies

Introduction:

In Module 6 we have two primary aims. The first aim is to complete our examination of the various digital resources useful for Classical Studies research through an examination of some of the websites and research tools that gather a variety of different types of primary source evidence (i.e. textual evidence, epigraphy, coins, material culture etc.) from other open access resources into a single space. The advantages posed by such designs are many. First, By aggregating a variety of open access primary source materials into a single location, users can avoid the necessity of hunting for relevant evidence across numerous digital repositories. Such aggregated sites also have the advantage, at least potentially, of presenting knowledge about the ancient world in a more integrated, less fragments way. Thus, some of the tools examined Module 6 present a variety of evidence forms chronologically, while others do so geospatially or by topic.

There are, however, also limitations to the design of such ‘meta’ databases. Often the selection criteria for what events to place where (in the case of geospatial organization of data) or when (in the case of chronologically organized data), or even what (in the case of data organized by theme or topic), is not always clear. The location of certain ancient sites or the dating of certain events are often matters of scholarly dispute, but this fact is often obscured by the presentation of data, leading to a greater sense of certainty regarding time and place than is actually warranted.

The issue of uncertainty about details such the date for events or the location of sites should make it abundantly clear that there is no substitute for a firm, detailed knowledge of one’s chosen area of Classical Studies scholarship. Digitization will not afford the user of digital research tools a command of the sources upon which research rests, so much as merely provide access and efficiency when looking for materials. Traditional methods of conducting Classical Studies research thus remain central skills for researchers and students alike. The caveat here is that one should under no circumstances rely on the information found in digital repositories as either authoritative orf complete. Such tools merely complement the knowledge and skill of the researcher. The second aim of Module 6, then, is to make students aware of the necessity of critically evaluating the limitations not only of the different categories of ancient evidence, but of the various digitized collections that house them.

Module 6 Lecture 6.1 Here:

Module 6 Supplementary Material:

Module 6 Supplementary Material 1 – Attalus.org (Video)

Module 6 Supplementary Materia 2 – Pleiades Project (Video)

Module 6 Supplementary Material 3 – Livius.org (Video)

Module 6 Supplementary Material 4 – Attalus.org (Website): Attalus : sources for Greek & Roman history

Module 6 Supplementary Materia 5 – Pleiades Project (Website): pleiades.stoa.org

Module 6 Supplementary Material 6 – Livius.org (Website): Livius – Articles on ancient history

Key Terms:

‘Meta’ Database, Geospatial Presentation, Chronological Presentation, Thematic Presentation, Skillset Inflation, Pleiades Project, Attalus.org, Livius.org, Democratization of Knowledge, Traditional Method.