| |
|
Digital
Archive Network for Anthropology and World
Heritage (DANA-WH)
DANA-WH is a distributed database network,
comprised of multiple constituent data
sets controlled by separate Relational
Database Management Systems (RDBMSs) running
on independent computer systems, housed
at different institutions, and connected
to the network. It is designed to function
as a federation of distributed, interoperable
databases, each with specific content
of value to the study and preservation
of human cultural and biological heritage.
DANA-WH contains an array of textual,
metric, and visual information about human
heritage objects. In addition to textual
descriptions and metric and non-metric
attribute information about each object,
the system displays two-dimensional (2D)
images of artifacts and fossils, as well
as accurate, three-dimensional (3D) models
of  the
artifacts. The 3D models are digital surrogates
of actual specimens that can be manipulated
and viewed from all angles, and are sufficiently
precise to allow for a wide range of detailed
measurements and analyses.
Content for DANA-WH comes from the academic
discipline of anthropology (archaeology,
biological anthropology, ethnography,
and linguistics) along with the fields
of biology, classical studies, history,
art history, geology, geography, architecture,
and other fields of relevance to human
heritage.
Still in the early stages of development,
the Archive is presently limited to archaeological
collections from NDSU (Samoan stone, shell,
and coral artifacts; Fijian stone tools
and ceramics; Native American (Mandan,
Hidatsa, and Arikara Tribes) stone, shell,
ceramic, bone, and antler artifacts and
Euro-American Fur Trade Era trade goods;
the University of Minnesota at Moorhead
(Archaic Projectile Points from North
Dakota); HNB Garwahl University, Srinagar-Garwahl,
Uttaranchal, India (Indian Pottery).
A Biological Anthropology Collection (BAC)
is in initial development, with proposed
content to include osteological resource
information and multimedia for anatomically
modern Homo sapiens, ancestral human (e.g.,
Homo erectus, Homo habilis, etc.) hominid
forebears (e.g., Australopithecines),
and other living and extinct primate specimens
(e.g., gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees,
bonobos, gibbons, etc.). Collections for
ethnography and linguistics have not yet
been implemented, but are planned for
the future.
 Discussion
of DANA-WH Operating
Structure
Download
instructions: software
for viewing the 3D models
Tutorial
on using DANA-WH
Individuals, organizations, and institutions
interested in contributing human biological
and cultural heritage content to DANA-WH
are strongly encouraged to contact the
Project Director , Dr. Jeffrey T. Clark,
via web form,
telephone 01-701-231-8921 or 01-701-231-6434,
or FAX 01-701-231-1047.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
