Use of geoinformatics for the digitization and visualization of cartographic heritage: The case of an early 1920s Mytilene town map

Abstract

A map series of 1920s Mytilene town, property of Lesvos Archives, had been inaccessible due to its poor condition. One map of this series was restored, scanned, digitised and given a geographical reference system. Geographical coordinates were collected, and geoinformatics technology was used to create a geographically corrected map in GCS- GGRS-1987 Geographical Coordinated System and Greek Grid as a Projected Coordinated System. Comparison of the map to a 1953 map series revealed that the latter is a hand-made copy of the first. Therefore GIS tools were used to digitally visualise missing areas of the authentic map. This project may open new horizons for the Mytilene cartographic heritage through the creation of a digital map library, featuring the history of the town's cartography, and the development and use of new interpretation tools allowing online access for educational and recreational activities. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.