9 Archaeological and cultural heritage web mapping resources: linking the Greek experience with wider research considerations

In this paper, we document the current research activities surrounding the mapping of cultural heritage on the web by contextualizing examples from Greek projects and applications within the broader international research landscape. We highlight the benefits of digital mapping for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and address specific challenges that call for ongoing and future research. Mapping cultural heritage involves considerable effort from professionals with different backgrounds and can be extensive, as there are no limits to building up digital content. Several opportunities are opening up for expanding the scope of these efforts, foregrounding new questions and research avenues, and creating spin-off applications for diverse audiences. However, there are limitations to the durability of web GIS infrastructures, and their aging in a rapidly changing technological environment can significantly impact the associated content. It is crucial to understand that datafication and content curation go together, and that implementing open data provisions at an early stage can benefit dissemination, support preservation, and create surplus value by enabling third-party and broader audience participation in reusing or repurposing the mapped content.