Nomination for best of the web award

I am Hafizur Rahaman from Bangladesh, presently studying as a PhD student at NUS, Singapore.

In most cases Digital Heritage projects are focused either on ‘process’ (authentication of data, site survey to epigraphy) or ‘product’ (closer to reality and technical artistry) but do not necessarily consider ‘user’ (end-user’s perception of the content). In my research I am looking for a non-linear interpretation method that allows active participants for discursive content creation (i.e. collective knowledge formation) and can take part in ‘dialogic interaction’ to leverage multiplicity in viewing the past cultural heritage.

To test my hypothesis, I have developed www.bdheritage.info – a online collaboration platform that allow multiple users with diversified background to contribute in the narrative level. Here, “Somapura Mahavihara” has been selected as a cultural heritage (monument) site. Somapura Mahavihara (Sanskrit; Bengali: সোমপুর মহাবিহার Shompur Môhabihar) situated in Paharpur, Bangladesh (25°1’51.83″N, 88°58’37.15″E) is among the best known Buddhist Monastery in the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.

Considering its cultural and historical significance, UNESCO has inscribed it as a World’s Cultural Heritage Site in 1985. However, research findings from various heritage scholars and heritage professionals are still spread over in different places. It is very difficult if someone wants to know more than the basic about this monument. Moreover, there is no such effort has ever found either from government or personal level to collect these valuable resources in one place. Besides testing the research hypothesis, this site also helping to collect fragmented information from various locations/users as collective experiences and memories. This is the first attempt in Bangladesh where digital social media has been introduced to collect public memories especially for a heritage site.

The online portal comprises some basic information about Sompur Mahavihara, which includes brief history, images, videos, reconstructed 3D virtual models of the central temple, QuickTime panoramas etc. The rest of the site is dedicated to public contribution. Any one being a member can upload pictures, videos, external links, documents, blog post, comments on forum and chat with other members or experts who are online.

This site has been launched on 15th August 2010. Meanwhile a total number of 140 users in two groups (70 in each) have been surveyed during September 2010 and December 2010 to test user interpretation level and validate the ongoing research hypothesis.