Historic maps and imagery for modern scientific applications II
30th September, 2009 – 3rd October, 2009
What kind of data sources, i.e. historic maps and engravings, aerial and terrestrial
images or classic paintings, are available to address current day research objectives?
The conference serves as a platform for scientists of various disciplines who employ historic maps and/or imagery for their research: Archaeologists utilizing historic aerial imagery for mapping of surface features, Historians working on terrestrial and urbanistic developments as well as Geoscientists quantifying landscape evolution from historic maps are cordially invited to present their work. We also call upon scientists from Geodesy and Informatics to present aims and methods for digitizing and visualization of historic data, as well as anyone else working in related fields.
Main focus 2009: Maps, sketches and travelogues of historic expeditions
The main topic in 2009 will be concerned with the impact that travelogues, sketches and maps of the first explorers have retained until today. How do these reports support science today?
Humboldt’s Expedition to America and the exploration of Egypt following Napoleon’s Egyptian expeditions at the turn of the 18th to the 19th century marked a turning point in the spirit of researchers towards the exploration of pristine areas. As a consequence countries were competing in a race like behavior to send their best
explorers to discover places and follow rivers to their springs, i.e. the Nile River.
Despite stiff competition amongst explorers the last empty spots on the globe were not
filled until the 1930’s. The crossing of the world’s largest sand desert, Rub al-Chali, was accomplished not before 1931.
From today’s perspective the maps, sketches and travelogues of these expeditions are
indispensible as they are the first and only report on the natural landscapes, animal and plant life and also the conventions and habits of native people that often changed drastically with the arrival of the explorers or soon thereafter.
Location: Bern (CH)
Contact: Dr. Dirk Rieke Zapp
