This week, our group created a map of our museum objects’ provenance through the ArcGIS platform (see below).
The ArcGIS online platform provides great flexibility and convenient annotation. For example, it is possible to customize symbology. Since our object is a tomb figure of a camel, we use camel icons to represent the locations the object visited. Moreover, since web apps could be created and published, I could imagine this tool being incorporated into many different DH projects when authors need to convey geographical informaiton.
Generally, web mapping has many possibilities for DH work. It allows the general public to see the geographical data, especially those with locations people are unfamiliar with, in an intuitive way. Since people can annotate and add layers to existing maps, metadata and argument could be embedded in to the maps. Interactivity (e.g. the ability to search for locations, drag maps and filter data) helps to engage the audience even more.
Therefore, I believe web mapping is a great tool and could be applied in DH work in diverse ways.
2 thoughts on “Web Mapping”
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I love the camel icons you used to map your objects’ journey. I also think it’s very interesting that the objects we were assigned were all sold in Hong Kong and moved to Atherton (I’m assuming this is because they were part of a set bought by someone). Comparing the different maps and seeing those similarities is fascinating.
Indeed! ArcGIS is powerful for mapping needs. The online version is especially strong in online cooperation work. I made people who are not particularly strong at mapping able to use the mapping technology to help them with their work. Also, I think it is powerful for teamwork that requires mapping.