Post written by Lesley Brooks, Carla Fotherby, and LeEtta Schmidt
This is the second in a four part series introducing USF digital collections for environmental and natural sciences.
The USF Libraries Digital Collections have been steadily growing collections that focus on various aspects of natural history, often with a focus on Florida-specific environments or related ecosystems. This activity has been in direct response to the drive of the USF Libraries to create and assist researchers and scholars in generating new knowledge and collections that further environmental and natural sciences research.
The first post in this series looked at research & data collections. In this post, we will be reviewing 3D modeling collections that work to archive, preserve, and foster stewardship for heritage and archaeological sites in Florida and around the world. These collections not only create digital learning tools, they also increase access to these objects and sites, allowing researchers to conduct research on them without traveling to these locations. Future posts in the series will look at historical collections and oral histories.
Check out the other posts in this series:
3-D Modeling Collections
Archaeology in St. Petersburg Parks
The 3D models and other materials in this collection represent archaeological artifacts, landscape cartographic information, and visitor experience details for use in the classroom, on the web, and at parks to improve interpretation of these important lands. It is an ongoing collaborative project between the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation and the USF Libraries Digital Heritage and Humanities Collections, and it aims to increase awareness and appreciation for cultural heritage.
Digital Heritage and Humanities Collections
The USF Libraries Digital Heritage & Humanities Collections (DHHC) is a center of research that documents heritage sites, landscapes, and objects, and creates digital learning tools and collections that promote sustainable heritage tourism and interpretation strategies through the use 3D and imaging technologies.
Pasco County Sinkhole, Saxon Lake, FL
University of South Florida Library’s Digital Heritage and Humanities Collections (DHHC) researchers conducted a 3D survey of the Pasco County sinkhole near Saxon Lake. The DHHC and USF Libraries are creating this database archive of the research effort, and a web application portal that shares historic maps and information about the environmental history of this area.