The map I chose to work on was one of the maps of New Zealand from the David Rumsey Map Collection.
Did this process change your understanding of the spatial DH projects you explored earlier?
Before this exercise, I primarily saw spatial digital humanities projects as just polished and finished visualizations. However, I realized that spatial digital humanities projects require critical judgment at every step, from interpreting imperfect historical maps to choosing which data layers to use. I believe these processes shape the final output and can subtly influence the historical narrative being presented.
Examine the This Map page: what formats can you access the map you rectified in?
Examining the This Map page, I found that the georectified map can be accessed in several formats, including GeoTIFF and IIIF formats.
What possibilities do you see once you have a georectified map? What would be next steps?
Having a georectified map opens several possibilities for digital humanities research. It allows researchers to overlay historical and current data, visualizing landscape transformations over time. This is especially useful for tracking urban development, environmental change, or the displacement of communities. It also supports the creation of spatial narratives that embed historical events, personal testimonies, or archival images within geographical contexts.
Are there problems with georeferencing that you should consider?
Historical maps often contain inaccuracies. Place names may have shifted, and colonial biases may obscure or erase marginalized communities. Variations in map projections can also introduce distortions.Furthermore, georeferencing can inadvertently impose modern spatial frameworks onto historical landscapes, flattening the complexities of how people in the past perceived their environments.
What research questions or areas would this method NOT be appropriate for?
I think georeferencing is less appropriate for inquiries focused on textual analysis or cultural practices unlinked to place. Moreover, when working with sensitive data, such as Indigenous lands, ethical considerations must be taken over technical goals.
