**2. Main targets of the task group**

Researches on Cultural Heritage have wide connotations related to the characteristics of the cultural objects that are considered, as well as to the particular targets and methodologies that can be applied in each case.

As a first stage, a deep knowledge of the cultural objects is needed, and adequate documentation processes become essential. But depending on the kind of cultural object that is being studied, it is necessary to collect and store a high amount of datasets in various formats, to draw accurate maps and sketches, to take pictures, and to write detailed descriptions (or transcriptions). Thus, useful software for writing, drawing, image manipulation and mapping is needed.

An easy and efficient data recording and archiving, as well as a quick access to all these digital materials become fundamental in the processes of documentation and storage of the cultural heritage. The other aim is to get high quality information from them. The later analysis processes must lay the foundations to propose the right conclusions, and to make the appropriate decisions. In this stage, GIS become a useful tool.

Finally, an efficient prospective plan must include management and preservation actions, as well as wide realist communication and dissemination programmes, including online platforms.

All these tasks and their related activities can be successfully approached and developed by using Open Source software. It provides the necessary office and prepress tools, multimedia and graphic editors (both vector and raster formats), friendly computer aided design (CAD) and 3D modelling software, as well as geographic information systems (GIS) and other publishing products.

According to it, the Task Group's strategies will correspond to two main objectives:

	- Improved knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritage, covering the different 'cultural properties' [4].
	- Improved methodologies in order to get a deep knowledge and an accurate documentation of each cultural object, encouraging an integrated interdisciplinary approach.
	- Collaboration between involved research groups and other related initiatives.
	- More effective preservation and management.
	- Dissemination of Open Source software capabilities in order to fulfill objective no. 1.
	- Greater accessibility to the public via the Task Group web site, but also through courses, conferences and online materials, as well as other cultural actions.
	- Wide offer of academic courses at the Universities involved.

Ground and first floor plans: the ground floor plan depicts the 12th century rock church, with the Romanesque 13th century 'new church' which is placed in front and transversely. The old 17th century priory is on the right side of the plans. Legend:


278 Cartography – A Tool for Spatial Analysis

**2. Main targets of the task group** 

that can be applied in each case.

manipulation and mapping is needed.

platforms.

publishing products.

1. Related to the cultural heritage:

approach.

different 'cultural properties' [4].

More effective preservation and management.

In a first epoch the Task Group 2 initiative was successfully chaired by Markus Jobst, of Research Group Cartography at Vienna University of Technology (Austria). Currently we

Researches on Cultural Heritage have wide connotations related to the characteristics of the cultural objects that are considered, as well as to the particular targets and methodologies

As a first stage, a deep knowledge of the cultural objects is needed, and adequate documentation processes become essential. But depending on the kind of cultural object that is being studied, it is necessary to collect and store a high amount of datasets in various formats, to draw accurate maps and sketches, to take pictures, and to write detailed descriptions (or transcriptions). Thus, useful software for writing, drawing, image

An easy and efficient data recording and archiving, as well as a quick access to all these digital materials become fundamental in the processes of documentation and storage of the cultural heritage. The other aim is to get high quality information from them. The later analysis processes must lay the foundations to propose the right conclusions, and to make

Finally, an efficient prospective plan must include management and preservation actions, as well as wide realist communication and dissemination programmes, including online

All these tasks and their related activities can be successfully approached and developed by using Open Source software. It provides the necessary office and prepress tools, multimedia and graphic editors (both vector and raster formats), friendly computer aided design (CAD) and 3D modelling software, as well as geographic information systems (GIS) and other

Improved knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritage, covering the

 Improved methodologies in order to get a deep knowledge and an accurate documentation of each cultural object, encouraging an integrated interdisciplinary

Collaboration between involved research groups and other related initiatives.

 Dissemination of Open Source software capabilities in order to fulfill objective no. 1. Greater accessibility to the public via the Task Group web site, but also through courses, conferences and online materials, as well as other cultural actions.

2. Related to the Open Source tools to be used to accomplish these targets:

Wide offer of academic courses at the Universities involved.

According to it, the Task Group's strategies will correspond to two main objectives:

the appropriate decisions. In this stage, GIS become a useful tool.

are starting a new era chaired by Prof. Pilar Chias, at the University of Alcalá (Spain).


**3. Open Source tools in the methodologies applied to the study of** 

of tasks: documentation, analysis, and management and dissemination processes.

manipulated through CAD or GIS software, or by graphic or sound editors [5].

**Figure 2.** Abenójar, Ciudad Real. Natural resources as an essential part of the Cultural Heritage. Original scale 1:50.000 (Task Group's Partner: *Cultural Heritage and sustainable architecture Research Team*,

Researches on cultural heritage at a territorial scale involve several stages, according to the different methodologies applied in each case. They can be structured into three main groups

A deep knowledge of the cultural objects requires previous and accurate measurements,

Measurements of angles, areas, lenghts and distances must be managed to some level of quality (in terms of accuracy, availability, usability, and resilience). Apart from the traditional direct measuring methods, datasets and georeferencing can be achieved nowadays by means of several techniques and electronic devices. They can be lately transferred to a computer, and

**territories and landscapes** 

**3.1. Documentation processes** 

reports and drawings.

University of Alcalá, Spain).

On top: Cross section of the rock church. The three hipogean chancels, which are connected, ventilated through a skylight dug in the rock (broken lines) that nowadays is protected by an upper building.

Centre: Cross-elevation of the Romanesque façade. This longitudinal section omitting the 'new church', shows the old rock church with its two 12th century Romanesque façades –the central and the right ones-, and the niche with the tombs of the two recumbent knights.

Below: Longitudinal section of the church. It depicts the bellfry on the rock at the right side; in the middle, the cross section of the 13th century 'new church' can be seen, with the metallic footbridge that leads to the rock church. The old skylight is placed over the rock church, currently protected with a modern upper structure.

(b)

**Figure 1.** a) Combined techniques in use for subterranean heritage mapping. San Pedro de Rocas, Esgos, Spain (Task Group's Partner: *GIRAP Research Team*, University of La Coruña, Spain). b) Combined techniques in use for subterranean heritage mapping. San Pedro de Rocas, Esgos, Spain (Task Group's Partner: *GIRAP Research Team*, University of La Coruña, Spain).
