All in One View

Content from Introduction

Last updated on 2026-04-15 | Edit this page

The hackathon invites participants to explore how digital data sources can come together to address research questions associated with global challenges and cultural heritage. The event will be the first of a series of activities collaboratively exploring opportunities to work with available data by leveraging A&H Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) to address research questions and pilot innovative research directions. During the hackathon, participants will gain insights into UKRI-funded data services, community-generated code and innovative AI-assisted methods with the support of technical professionals.

The integration of data from heterogeneous sources is a particular focus of these scenarios, as the hackathon aims to explore the infrastructures, tools, and knowledge required for this. Hence, participants are invited to reflect on the strengths and needs of these data services, the availability of tools, and the knowledge barriers to developing research approaches based on this integration of data. The role of Artificial Intelligence models in supporting coding and agentic processes in software development is of further interest.

For the Hackaton a series of scenarios are presnted. To investigate your chosen scenario, we will go through the following steps:

Step 1: Familiarisation with the scenarios

Familiarise yourself with the summary of each scenario, as it sets out the context and general theme to be investigated, and begin shaping your research questions.

Step 2: Access the datasets

Access the available datasets in the DRI services and explore them to identify the most suitable datasets, sub-datasets and associated metadata that can potentially help address your research question/s.

Step 3: Address the research questions

Explore how combining the selected datasets can help you address your research question/s as part of the wider problem or presented scenario.

Step 4: Communicate the data

Explore how the combined data can be presented to various stakeholders, including archaeologists, policy makers, and the general public. Consider the use of digital tools, such as dashboards and visualisation tools, to support decision-making and interpretation. Present your ideas to the rest of the teams using the following guiding questions:

Discussion

Challenge: Present your ideas

  • What research questions have you identified?
  • Why are they important in the context of your chosen scenario?
  • Which data need to be linked to address your research question/s?
  • How would you communicate your findings to inform decision-making and interpretation?
  • How could the developed or envisaged workflows, and the addressing of research question/s, benefit the economy, society, or support the SDGs?

Content from Scenarios

Last updated on 2026-04-15 | Edit this page

Scenarios

The scenarios below can inform the development of workflows or research ideas. They aim to leverage the availability and integration of relevant information from different data services.

Prioritising emergency recording of cultural heritage

Coastal heritage sites face growing threats from erosion, flooding, and climate change, making equitable, data-driven prioritisation of preservation resources essential.

Informing planning of infrastructure affecting cultural heritage

Infrastructure near heritage sites boosts tourism and access but risks physical damage and overtourism; decision-makers need better data to balance these pressures.

Mitigating the impacts of ageing infrastructure on urban communities

Urban historic buildings face structural damage from traffic and ageing infrastructure, threatening occupied spaces and requiring better data to guide mitigation planning.

Content from Prioritising emergency recording of cultural heritage

Last updated on 2026-04-15 | Edit this page

logo
© Di UMAR SALAM. A storm surge crashing over a seawall.

Summary

Coastal cultural heritage—including archaeological sites, historic buildings, and maritime landscapes—is increasingly at risk of erosion, flooding, climate change, and human activity. These threats are often rapid and uneven, making it difficult for heritage professionals to determine where limited resources for documentation and preservation should be focused. Incorporating socio-economic data can also support prioritising areas with social, economic or cultural importance, while also improving equity in heritage preservation.

ADS Datasets

CITiZAN: the Coastal and Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network

Citizen science collected dataset of heritage sites under threat.

Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Surveys (RCZAS) — Historic England

  • Digital Collection - Historic England (2013) Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Surveys (RCZAS) [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1106880 > Note: Made up of a series of surveys around the English coastline.

The Palaeolithic Rivers of Southwest Britain

  • Collection - Tony Brown, Robert Hosfield, Laura Basell, Phil Toms, S. Hounsell, R. Young (2008) The Palaeolithic Rivers of Southwest Britain [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1000027

Inland Navigation in England and Wales before 1348: GIS Database

  • Collection - Oksanen, E. (2019) Inland Navigation in England and Wales before 1348: GIS Database [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1057497

Summer Precipitation for the England and Wales region, 1201–2000 CE, from Stable Oxygen Isotopes in oak tree rings

  • Collection - N. J. Loader, G. H. F. Young, D. McCarroll, D. Davies, D. Miles, Christopher Bronk Ramsey (2020) Summer Precipitation for the England and Wales region, 1201–2000 CE, from Stable Oxygen Isotopes in oak tree rings [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1078324 (spreadsheet data)
  • Associated publication - Loader, N.J., Young, G.H.F., McCarroll, D., Davies, D., Miles, D., and Bronk Ramsey, C. (2020), Summer Precipitation for the England and Wales region, 1201–2000 CE, from Stable Oxygen Isotopes in oak tree rings. J. Quaternary Sci. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3226

DAFNI Datasets

CGFI

Content from Informing planning of infrastructure affecting cultural heritage

Last updated on 2026-04-15 | Edit this page

logo
© di andrew_shots. Road service build the highway

Summary

The development of infrastructure around cultural heritage sites presents a complex balance between improving access and safeguarding fragile assets. New transport links and utilities can increase visitor numbers and bring economic benefits to local communities, particularly through tourism. However, these same developments can place significant pressure on heritage sites, leading to physical damage, erosion, and the risks associated with overtourism. Decision-makers often lack a holistic view of how planned or future infrastructure projects will interact with both existing and potential heritage sites.

ADS Datasets

HS2 Heritage Spatial Archive

  • Collection - High Speed Two Ltd. (2024) HS2 Heritage Spatial Archive [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1118851
  • Part of a parent collection - High Speed Two Ltd. (2023) HS2 Historic Environment Digital Archive [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1113008
  • Associated data paper - Aryankhesal, F.F. 2023 ‘HS2 Phase One: Heritage GIS Digital Archive (Data paper)’, Internet Archaeology, HS2 publications. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.hs2.1

A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Improvement Scheme: Digital Archive for Archaeological Works

  • Collection - MOLA Headland Infrastructure (2025) A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Improvement Scheme: Digital Archive for Archaeological Works [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1081262
  • Associated monograph - West, E., Christie, C., Moretti, D., Scholma-Mason, O. and Smith, A. 2024 A Route Well Travelled. The Archaeology of the A14 Huntingdon to Cambridge Road Improvement Scheme, Internet Archaeology 67. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.67.22

DAFNI Datasets

CGFI

Content from Mitigating the impacts of ageing infrastructure on urban communities

Last updated on 2026-04-15 | Edit this page

logo
© Di PoppyPix, Aerial panorama of Nottingham center

Summary

Listed and historic buildings in urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of ageing infrastructure, including transport networks, underground utilities, and adjacent buildings. Continuous exposure to vibration from rail and road traffic, alongside ground disturbance from maintenance or redevelopment, can weaken structural integrity, causing cracking, settlement, and material fatigue in historically sensitive fabric. These can have a significant impact on how such buildings are used—often still occupied as homes, workplaces, or community spaces—directly affecting users’ lived experience. Understanding how ongoing stress can affect these fragile, historically significant structures can support planning interventions and other mitigation strategies.

ADS Datasets

Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG) Collections and Map

  • Entire Collection - Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG) (2024) Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG) Collections and Map [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1106888
  • Interactive map (no downloadable GIS files, but each dataset can be downloaded as structured data)

DAFNI Datasets

Credo Hipims

CGFI