Sigiriya Spatial and Landscape Data Collaboration

A brick-lined gravel path with large rectangular stone water features and grassy areas on terraces runs from the photographer's position toward a large column of granite that rises high above surrounding trees in the center distance.

The Sigiriya Spatial and Landscape Data Collaboration (SSLDC) is a collaborative initiative co-organized by Dr. Tom Elliott (as Principal Investigator, SSLDC) and Dr. Divya Kumar-Dumas (as Director, SSLDC). The effort grew from research and discussion focused on the World Heritage site of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka (hence the name), but it has implications for the study and teaching of the broad ancient and medieval Indian Ocean world.

Under the SSLDC rubric, we seek to:

  • Identify, develop, and promulgate best practices for digital collection, digital dissemination, and digital archiving of data and reports reflecting archaeological and allied-field research on the ancient Indian Ocean world (especially unique geospatial and remote-sensing datasets and associated reports);
  • Liaise with ISAW/NYU faculty and researchers, as well as extramural colleagues and in-country officials, to develop and refine these best practices and related documentation;
  • Connect and collaborate with extramural partners and the ISAW/NYU Library in identifying, developing, building (if necessary), and encouraging the use of digital publication and archival venues for such data;
  • Advise and guide researchers globally as they plan projects and apply for permits to collect such data, and introduce them to appropriate contacts, procedures, and documents associated with in-country institutions and government ministries; and
  • Fold what we learn and develop in this area into ISAW pedagogy, providing our students, as well as interested visiting scholars and faculty, with more robust, real-world, hands-on training in related digital methods, tools, and best practices in these areas.

Image caption: West face of Sigiriya rock with water gardens from main path.  Photo, Kumar-Dumas (12 Feb 2025; 10:49 am)