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Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme (CADiP)
In October 2009 the Department of Antiquities initiated the digitization of cultural heritage (archaeological sites, monuments, movable antiquities and surveys), by introducing the Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme (CADiP).
The Department regards digitization as one of its main objectives and priorities because it ensures protection. The aim is to create a fully digitized database, which will also increase efficiency and effectiveness in retrieving Cypriot Archaeological data, through the application of the Geographical Information System (GIS). The programme gives the Department of Antiquities the opportunity to efficiently store and manage a huge amount of data, either for analysis, study or publication.
CADiP started in 2009 as a European programme, co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the Republic of Cyprus. The funding was allocated between October 2009 and April 2011. With the completion of the European Programme the Department of Antiquities, continued the digitization programme with Government funds, which was implemented by full-time archaeological officers, as well as contract archaeologists.
The CADiP database was designed by Dr. Apostolos Sarris and the Technological Educational Institute of Crete. The scheme adopted for the purposes of CADiP is based on MySGL and ArcGIS software and was designed following international forms of databases and previous applications concerning cultural material. For the supply, installation, implementation, training, operational support and maintenance of the hardware and the software system a contract was signed with a private company.
CADiP focuses on digitizing: a) the Declared Ancient Monuments of the First Schedule (Ancient Monuments on State Land) and of the Second Schedule (Ancient Monuments on Private Land), according to the Archaeological Law of the Republic of Cyprus, b) the Movable Antiquities which are exhibited in the Cyprus Museum, the District Archaeological Museums, the Local Archaeological Museums and the Folk Art Museums, which belong to the Republic of Cyprus and all the Movable Antiquities, which are stored in those Museums’ storerooms, c) the Controlled Areas (the areas that surround Ancient Monuments and are protected by law through the prohibition of the erection of any building at a close distance to the Monument), d) the Areas under temporary requisition (areas which the Department of Antiquities required by law from its owners for a short period of time, in order to conduct archaeological research) and finally, f) Surveyed Areas (the areas where Archaeological Surveys have been conducted).
There are five thematic databases according to the aforementioned five themes. In each thematic database digitized data forms are created for each entry. The forms include archeological, historical, technical and administrative information as well as digitized drawings, photographs, maps, graphics and bibliographical references.
Up to now (August 2016) 1517 Ancient Monuments, 14731 Movable Antiquities from the Cyprus Museum and the Pafos Museum and 3440 Surveyed Areas have been digitized.
Currently CADiP is only accessible to the Officers of the Department of Antiquities within the Department’s premises. However, there is also the provision that a selected sample of the CADiP database will be accessible on the Internet to external users at a later stage. The selection of information to be made public will depend on various criteria, such as publication status, copyright etc. Full records will be made available to external researchers after they obtain a written authorization by the Director of the Department of Antiquities.
 
CYPRUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGITIZATION PROGRAMME (CADiP)
The «Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme» is a programme aimed towards increasing efficiency and effectiveness in the retrieval and manipulation of information relating to Ancient Monuments and movable antiquities through the application of a Geographical Information System (GIS), resulting in the improvement of the protection of Cypriot cultural heritage. The programme is co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism www.eeagrants.org for a period of two years.
The «Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme» has two objectives:
· to digitise the declared Ancient Monuments of the First Schedule (Ancient Monuments on State Land) and of the Second Schedule (Ancient Monuments on Private Land) as well as areas where Archaeological Surveys have been conducted, Controlled Areas and Requisition Areas.
· to implement a pilot project involving the digitization of the movable antiquities recovered in the Pafos District until 1975 and are currently stored in the Pafos District Museum.
The introduction of a Geographical Information System (GIS) will integrate the geographical data with the archaeological findings and support decision making, regarding Ancient Monument management. The GIS will be linked to a metadata database which will include descriptive and technical information concerning the Ancient Monuments or movable antiquities.
A full digitised database will be available to the personnel of the Department of Antiquities with the completion of the programme, resulting to approximately 1300 digitized Ancient Monuments from all over Cyprus and approximately 5000 movable antiquities from the Pafos District. The digitization of artefacts is expected to continue after the completion of «CADiP » aiming at the creation of a fully digitized record of movable antiquities.
«CADiP » includes a provision for the creation of a website in which the public will be able to access a summarized version of the Ancient Monuments and previously published movable antiquities database. Full records will be made available to external researchers after they obtain a written authorization by the Director of the Department of Antiquities.
It is expected that alongside the increase in efficiency in the management of Ancient Monuments the future viability and preservation of valuable archival material will be made possible. This will attract more researchers and students promoting Cypriot cultural heritage.
CONTRACT SIGNING
The Ministry of Communications and Works, Department of Antiquities, announces that on 20 October 2009, a contract with the private company H.S. Data Ltd was signed concerning the implementation of «Cyprus Archaeological Digitization Programme».
The programme is co-financed by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and has as objectives the digitised recording of the declared Ancient Monuments and the implementation of a pilot project on the digitization of the movable antiquities recovered in the Pafos District until 1975.
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