4.1 Why use LOD for ancient written artefacts?

In this lesson,  the rationale behind utilising Linked Open Data (LOD) for ancient written artefacts is explored. The lesson adresses the application within the Semantic Web framework, highlighting its role in facilitating data interoperability and integration. Furthermore, the significance of LOD in bibliographic and cultural heritage contexts is examined, highlighting its potential to enhance accessibility and knowledge dissemination. Finally, the importance of selecting an appropriate classification system to effectively organize and navigate LOD resources is explained.

4.1.1 The Semantic Web

In 2001, Tim Berners-Lee, James Hendler and Ora Lassila envisaged an extended, decentralized version of the internet that would usher in standardized structure and purpose-driven growth. They called it: "The Semantic Web" (Berners-Lee et al., 2023). A few years later, in 2006, Berners-Lee coined the term Linked Open Data (LOD). On the accompanying website, he presented four core principles (Berners-Lee, 2006):

  1. Employ URIs as identifiers for entities.
  2. Utilize HTTP URIs to facilitate easy lookup.
  3. Offer valuable information upon URI lookup, using standardized formats like RDF and SPARQL.
  4. Foster interlinking with other URIs to enable the discovery of related entities.

The same year, Berners-Lee also suggested a 5-star deployment scheme for Open Data as part of the Linked Open Data paradigm (for which, see Unit I - 1.4.1 Principles and standards).

At the heart of LOD's efficacy lies the Resource Description Framework (RDF), an intricate structure that employs triples (subject, predicate and object) to depict relationships among diverse pieces of information. This flexible arrangement allows data to harmonize with existing sources, epitomizing RDF's role as a unifying agent within the LOD ecosystem.


Example of triple for VIAF ID of HomerExample of a triple

Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) are a pivotal mechanism for linking data across the LOD framework. URIs provide each resource with a unique identifier, a global and consistent means of reference. Crucially, URIs encapsulate not only the identity of a resource but also contextual facets that enhance its meaning. For instance, the ancient Greek author for Homer has the following URI in VIAF (Virtual International Authority File): https://viaf.org/viaf/224924963/

The true potential of Linked Open Data lies in projects contributing data and connections back to the LOD community. Linked data is effectuated through RDF, a system that uses URIs to uniquely identify resources and establish relationships. These URIs provide stable anchors even as the digital landscape evolves (what is identifying the resource is the URI, not the URL used to locate one or the other format). URIs can therefore be considered the building blocks of the Semantic Web:

Everything is identified with URIs!


In summary, LOD dismantles the information silos that exist between various data formats, fostering seamless connectivity between diverse sources. It streamlines data model expansion and simplifies updates, enhancing data integration and navigation through complex data(sets). As a result, on the semantic web, linking disparate sources and formats facilitates the derivation of new insights from existing information and the integration of (proprietary) knowledge in the context of Open Science.

On the next pages and in the next lessons, we explore the operationalisation of LOD principles, applying it to different aspects of studying ancient written artefacts, for instance referencing place names or creating a digital prosopography. You can test your knowledge by making the exercises in several of the following lessons or by consulting the articles, web pages and (online) guides you'll find under 'References', 'Further Reading' or 'Resources' (see below).

Exercise

References
Further reading
Resources