Site Manager Database

2002 - 2011

A Database/GIS system for the archaeological risk assessment

Since the mid-1990s, the Lerici Foundation and the Politecnico di Milano have developed a database/GIS system for cataloging archaeological assets. The database structure was inspired by the complex cataloging system developed by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage since year 1980. Subsequently, with the collaboration of the Department of Construction Engineering of the Politecnico di Milano, in addition to an update of the cataloging system, a preliminary method was developed to obtain a quantitative assessment of the risk factors.

From the mid-2010s the system has been revised, expanded and rewritten - in collaboration with Dr. Giuliano Ambrosetti – in order to run under the Filemaker platform, a very popular DBMS, so that data can be easily shared with the world that deals with Archaeological Heritage Management. Since the Foundation has been engaged in archaeological research, restoration work, and management training courses in the Mekong Region Countries for the past twenty years, the database has since been structured taking into account the archaeological, territorial characteristics of this Region.

Site Manager Database

The Site Manager Database (SMDB) is a cataloging and data management software for Archaeological Risk Assessment aimed primarily at Southeast Asia Site Managers to assist them in the decision making process. The System runs under Filemaker platform and is bijective connected with any GIS software working with Shapefiles.

It is structured in four main blocks:

  • site informations;
  • attributes characteristics;
  • monitoring and maintenance;
  • tools.

Site informations

Geographical, historical and environmental framework. Attributes (evidences) and complexes, prospecting and surveys, territorial risk. Bibliography. An initial collection of general information on the archaeological site, on the structures that form part of it, on its geographical and environmental location, accompanied by studies and research.

Attributes characteristics

For each attribute (evidence), a card with definition, construction elements, chronologies, restorations and hazards. This is an identity card of the attributes which contains the main information that characterizes them. Periodically, quantitative reports are compiled on the state of conservation of the attribute to keep any deterioration under control.

Monitoring and maintenance

Periodic monitoring cards and a section dedicated to the management of extraordinary maintenance. With these tools, the Site Manager can decide and plan interventions to keep the archaeological site in good condition.

Tools

Searches and sorts. Statistics. Database export in different file types. Structured tables for adequate two-way communication with GIS. These and other customizable tools to be able to interact with other technologies as well.

The SMDB can be broadly seen according to two main aspects:

  • As a tool for understanding the archaeological sites in their complexities;
  • As a tool for risk assessment and therefore necessary for the decision making.

It has been studied a quantitative risk assessment based on the assignment of certain values (or ranges of values) to a chosen group of parameters (height of the remains, loss of surface material, surface detachment, biological colonization, crack and deformation, recent intervention).

The result of the multiplier factors lead to the numerical evaluation of:

  • The individual risk: a "score" of the attribute taken into consideration;
  • The total risk value is the sum of the individual risk plus that caused by the hazard due to natural causes (earthquakes, flooding, landslide, fires) and those of anthropic presence (abandonment and not protected area, lack of maintenance, pressure due to tourism, pressure due to construction and infrastructure works, traffic vibrations, action of animals).