Spatial Mapping Reflection Post

From David Rusmy Collection, I chose a map of Ethiopia in 1938.

Exploring the features of the David Rumsey Map Collection allowed me to get a sense of how other spatial DH projects were processed. It also brought to mind how careful one should be when creating georeference maps and dedicating more time to understanding the georectified map. It’s essential to be aware of what assumptions are being made with the development of the map.  

The map that I chose has the title “Color Relief Map of Abyssinia and War Zone,” depicted and published in 1938 by a newspaper company called Daily Herald. Compared to other maps, there is limited information in the description sections. So it’s unclear what the assumed values of knowledge were for the bases of the map. This georectified map can be reformatted into WMTS, TileJSON, or XYZ. We can then utilize web apps such as ArcGIS or QGIS to continue the process of creating a compelling visualization. Utilizing ArcGis, we can add more layers of maps during 1935-1938 (the Ittialn-Ethiopian War). We can also add different pinpoints where we can add what battles took place during those years. Essentially, the final product will be a story map. 

An issue with using georeferencing that should be considered is making anachronistic projections. Although not an issue, however, a potential problem when using georeferencing is specific maps do not have enough information regarding how the map was produced, so the accuracy of the map can be questioned. Georeferencing should not be used in areas, for example, an archaeology project trying to recreate past civilizations where historical localities can’t be found in current maps or the names of the localities have changed. 

Overall, georeferencing is a powerful method that allows people to get a sense of the past within the present day’s context. It opens the door to many other research questions allowing certain study areas to unlock new knowledge.