Teaching Digital Byzantine Sigillography: First Experiences and Future Strategies

This paper delves into the preliminary results and future initiatives concerning the pedagogical aspects of two funded projects, DigiByzSeal (supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche) and DiBS (funded by the VolkswagenStiftung), which jointly aim to advance the field of Byzantine Sigillography. One of the objectives of these projects that stands out most prominently is the establishment of a sustainable, research-based, digital teaching infrastructure, along with the introduction of innovative pedagogical methods. In this paper, we specifically scrutinize two distinct teaching formats: (1) SigiDoc training weeks, designed to equip experts in Byzantine Sigillography with proficiency in XML and data modelling, and (2) an international seminar centred around the creation of a permanent digital exhibition addressing various facets of Byzantine society through the lens of seals. These instructional approaches present both organizational and conceptual complexities. However, the overarching aim in both cases is to optimize data reuse for sustainability, accessibility, and informed utilization. Furthermore, this paper touches upon the implementation of collaborative digital strategies pertaining to Byzantine artefacts containing textual elements. It underscores the cultivation of interdisciplinary exchanges with the field of Digital Humanities and the integration of globally shared pedagogical concepts within Byzantine Sigillography and Byzantine Studies at large.