Impact of the Revetment on the Seashore in the Region of Babie Doły (KM 93.6–93.9), Poland

The present paper addresses the litho-dynamic and morpho-dynamic processes in the coastal zone of Babie Doły (KM 93.6–93.9), Poland. As a background, the history of coastal engineering measures in this area is described. The impact of post-war structures on the seashore is analysed on the basis of historical maps, supported by results of the sediment transport modelling. Shore regression is caused by the so-called downstream erosion behind the headland with remains of rock palisade structures. The possible consequences for the seashore resulting from the removal of the analysed revetment are discussed. The paper also presents recommendations to the relevant authorities for the future.

Impact of the Cartographer’s Position and Topographic Accessibility on the Accuracy of Historical Land Use Information: Case of the Second Military Survey Maps of the Habsburg Empire

Historical maps are critical for long-term land use reconstructions; however, quantifying the uncertainty involved in comparing historical maps with recent data remains a considerable challenge. To date, many works have focused on the technical aspects of comparing historical and contemporary materials, but the potential sources of uncertainty inherent in historical data remain poorly understood. In this paper, we analyze the impacts of the topographic accessibility and cartographer’s field position on the content quality of historical Austrian second military survey maps by referring to independent census data. Our results show that the topographic accessibility and visibility from the cartographer’s surveying table points had very little impact on the map content quality and that the surveying table point locations were uniformly distributed throughout the area, regardless of the landscape conditions. These findings demonstrate that the second military survey maps can be seen as valuable and consistent historical data sources, making them especially useful for long-term land use research in Central Europe.

New approaches to communicating and educating through the use of historical maps

The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the difficulties that sometimes accompany the consultation of historical cartographic repertoires. At the same time, it has brought to the forefront the relationship between digital content and cultural fruition. The project here presented has launched the digitalization of historical maps dated between the 16th and 17th centuries and selected by the collection of the Este Maps of the Military Series preserved at the State Archive of Modena and the Modena and Reggio Emilia University's Gemma Museum. Every digitized map is supported by a descriptive caption detailing its cartographic characteristics and historical context. The project intends to promote research, study and fruition, using new technologies for more effective and dynamic science communication and education, both triggering activities with high schools related to thematic studies or work experience, and creating a virtual exhibition to overcome any structural, cultural and health barriers in order to involve users in an experience of discovery, knowledge and individual learning.

Streets of Medieval Novgorod and GPR Search: Application Experience

Проблема реконструкции уличной сети средневекового Новгорода представляет собой один из ключевых вопросов городской исторической топографии. Традиционная методика опирается на комплексный анализ письменных, картографических и археологических источников, при этом решающим доводом остается физическое выявление уличной трассы в границах шурфа или раскопа. Технология георадарного поиска улиц опирается на характерную особенность уличных настилов: их периодическая замена формировала значительные вертикальные скопления древесины в мощном культурном слое. Применение георадара для поиска средневековых улиц позволило не только установить расположение трасс без вторжения в культурный слой, но и сформулировать комплекс проблем, связанных как с собственно технологией, так и с методикой археологической разведки по результатам предварительного анализа территории. Reconstruction of city street structure is one of the most important questions of medieval Novgorod topography. Traditional way of medieval street discovery is based on complex analysis of written sources, historical maps, and archaeological data. Ground penetration radar (GPR) technology allows to reveal constructions of wooden streets, buried in organic cultural deposits, which may reach several meters thick. GPR using allowed to locate position of several street pavements and raise several questions concerning both GPR usage on thick organic deposits and technology of archaeological exploration of medieval streets.

Art and Argument: Indigitization of a Kiowa Historical Map for Teaching and Research

How might we teach undergraduate students about Indigenous geographies using historical maps? This paper describes processes associated with the bridging of a historical Kiowa map with computerized geographic information systems (GIS) and undergraduate geography curriculum. The authors applied an indigital framework as an approach for melding Indigenous and Western knowledge systems into a third kind of construct for teaching undergraduate students about historical/contemporary spatial issues. Indigital is the blending of Indigenous knowledge systems, such as storytelling, language, calendar keeping, dance, and songs, with computerized systems. We present an origin story about the indigitization of a historical Kiowa pictorial map, known as the Chál-ko-gái map, at the University of Missouri, USA. Undergraduate student engagement with the map resulted in new questions about Indigenous geographies, particularly map projections, place names, and the meaning of Kiowa symbols.