Archaeological and epigraphic research in the era of digital humanities : a Franco-Quebec project in archiving, exploiting and disseminating knowledge. – ArchXanth

Franco-Quebec collaboration within the framework of the project ArchXant is the natural continuum of a fertile scientific association introduced in 2000, in Turkey. ArchXant intends to answer challenges represented by collection, indexation, preservation, exploitation and launch of the open access archives of a defunct archaeological mission (Xanthos-Letoon), but whose research activities and publication are called to carry on numerous years. So is the project at the heart of new problems which faces today the world of archaeologists and epigraphists: for the sake of future research how should one protect the fragile archaeological archives and incunabula? How should one guarantee the scientific value of knowledges promised to a wide dissemination? Which interactive methods could be designed to share these knowledges with the largest number? How to keep digitized datas also called Big Data? ArchXant will lead to the creation of an internet platform dedicated both to the digital archiving of the excavation documentation and to its diffusion, from the private circle of specialists to the greater public. A friendly environment will offer to the researchers and to the students publications and digital databases completed with critical comments of archives. The use of 3D technologies will allow to offer modellings of buildings assisted by interactive educational tools (e.g. the Nereid Monument), just like 3D digitalizations of squeezes allowing, furthermore, the not intrusive use of the XIXth century samples. This project joins in the most current trend of archaeological researches in the Mediterranean area, a region of unequalled cultural wealth, but troubled by ceaseless conflicts. In the heart of concerns of big bodies dedicated to the protection of world heritage such as the UNESCO, of which Xanthos is one of the sites, the ArchXant project offers resolutely forward-looking solutions to problems which affects the past. The training of the academic succession, another major challenge in our disciplines, will be made through the supervision of young MA and PhD researchers in what constitutes best practice in humanities and social sciences today. Finally, the hosting of ArchXant by the TGIR HumaNum will guarantee the sustainability of the project, both from the point of view of data preservation and of their dissemination.