Integrated Use of Information Technologies for Studying Cultural Heritage: Formulation of the Problem

Abstract

For the first time a model for studying immovable objects of cultural heritage using the integrated application of information technologies is described in this article. The basic model has been constructed using the experience of producing measured drawings of food storage warehouse at the copper smelting plant in Suzun in Novosibirsk Region, school designed by A.D. Kryachkov in Novosibirsk, and Spasskaya church from Zashiversk (exhibit from the Museum of History and Architecture at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS). This model includes description of the buildings based on visual examination, use of databases of documents as well as archival and other written sources, reference materials available on the Internet and other digital resources, selection of IT according to the criteria which were ranked depending on specific conditions (accomplishing the research objectives, convenience and rationality of use, timing and duration of works, cost of works, availability and cost of equipment, availability of software, and staff qualifications), and a set of information technologies which take into account variability and compatibility of each technology in specific conditions and are needed for creating an information model of the building and for subsequent research, reconstruction, and museumification. The basic model is flexible and capable of modification and development. When new research objectives are formulated and new digital technologies emerge, the model can be adjusted, and the problem of the integrated use of IT will find new solutions. The work which was done and experience we have gained make it possible to propose further development of models for application of information technologies and their adaptation to the study of cultural heritage in the broader context.