Geovisualization of Historical Geospatial Data: A Web Mapping Application for the 19th-Century Kaupert’s Maps of Attica

Abstract

This paper presents the development procedure and significance of a web mapping application designed for disseminating, exploring, and analyzing Kaupert’s 19th-century Maps of Attica, Greece. The application facilitates historical and geographical study by providing access to high-resolution map images and overlaying multiple vector layers of geospatial data. The paper outlines the methods used to create the application, which includes the process of interpreting, digitizing, and organizing the original mapped data, georeferencing the historical cartographic sheets, and developing the web-based mapping application. The results of this work include a comprehensive and interactive digital reference tool for studying the ancient topography of Attica, as well as a framework for future research. Overall, this work highlights the potential of digital technologies to transform the way we approach and study historical maps and other cultural artifacts.

3D WebGIS for Ephemeral Architecture Documentation and Studies in the Humanities

“…Several tests were performed to verify the most efficient data type visualization since online performance differs according to the settings. Finally, for the 2D/3D WebGIS creation, ArcGIS Online 24 and ArcGIS Enterprise 25 were both tested in combination with Web App Builder (WAB) 26 and Experience Builder 27 . Many technical issues were faced during the creation process and were solved with an iterative process that concurrently considered the three main steps: data preparation in ArcGIS Pro, online publishing with ArcGIS Online and Enterprise, and WebGIS creation.…”

“…Very few studies have exploited a WebGIS for the humanities, but it demonstrates great potential in these areas. Especially when research deals with archival materials, a WebGIS opens the door to material stored in uneasy-to-access depots, also providing access to georeferenced historical cartography, like in the cases of the Portals of the Geological Survey of Italy [21], the State Archive of Como (Italy) [22], and 19th-century maps of Cyprus [23,24]. In addition to being georeferenced and representing digital archives, a WebGIS also allows the spatialization and visualization of conceptual places, like Dante's Inferno [25], or the comprehension of a huge amount of documentation of physical places, as in Mapping Ancient Athens, which covers 160 years of archaeological excavations [26].…”