Thesis Description & Objectives
Over the past decade, research on archives and specialized glossaries has significantly increased, leading to the cataloging and digitization of primary sources. However, despite the fact that architectural and technical vocabulary used on construction sites was quickly shared among professional communities from different regions, the study of these terms and their dissemination still requires further exploration. One major obstacle is the fragmented nature of the existing knowledge base. Historical data on construction techniques, materials, and terminology is dispersed across various archives and regions, often lacking standardization or common frameworks for analysis. This dispersion has created significant barriers to accessing, comparing, and synthesizing information across different European contexts. Recent developments in digital humanities can potentially advance this field of study significantly. Integrating digital tools has enabled more sophisticated analyses of historical texts and the creation of interactive databases that compile and visualize technical terms and their variations. Such digital platforms could enhance our ability to track the evolution and diffusion of construction vocabulary across different regions and periods, offering new insights into the interplay between linguistic and technical knowledge in historical contexts. This thesis will be developed in collaboration with European Patner of the CA24102 – A Glossary of Technical Construction Vocabulary in 17th-18th Century European Court Residences (EUROGLOSS) – COST Action. It aims to design and develop a digital platform that is able to enhance the accessibility and usability of construction-related data. The activities involved in this thesis envisage the analysis of the current digital practices, technologies and tools for documenting and disseminating architectural knowledge and the creation of a digital platform for sharing digital resources.
References:
– Atlas of Roman Building Techniques
– CHARP’FRANCE: La base de données de charpentes anciennes en France
