Digital History als 'experimental space'

In einem ersten Teil beschäftigt sich die Arbeit mit Handels netzwerken und Transportnetzwerken in Gallien und Germanien basierend auf Inschriften. Deutlich werden Netzwerke zwischen Händlern und Familien, deren Zweck die Sicherung und der Ausbau der eigenen Stellung in der antiken Geschäftswelt war; weiterhin verdeutlichen die Netzwerke die teils enorme Reichweite des Handels in römischer Zeit sowie die enge Verzahnung der verschiedenen Organisationen der römischen Geschäftswelt untereinander. Im zweiten Teil steht die Frage nach einer Landtransportverbindung zwischen den Flussoberläufen von Saône und Mosel als Alternative zur Route über das Plateau de Langres im Mittelpunkt. Diese verlief mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit zwischen Corre und Portieux, eine Alternative stellt der Côney dar. Als umspannender Rahmen wirkt die Frage nach der Anwendbarkeit der Methoden und Werkzeuge der "Digital History". Im Einzelnen sind dies Netzwerkanalyse sowie GIS und dabei insbesondere least cost path analysis. Es wird deutlich, dass die Digitale Geschichte zwar zweifellos von grundlegender Bedeutung für die Zukunft der Geschichtswissenschaft ist und ihre Methoden und Werkzeuge sich durchaus als wichtige Hilfsmittel erweisen können. Zugleich stellt sie aber auch Reise ins Ungewisse dar. Leider werden kritische Fragen diesbezüglich zu selten gestellt. Doch ist besonders die Beschäftigung mit Schwachstellen, Problemen und Schwierigkeiten der Quellen, Forschungsmethoden und Forschungstools sowie Transparenz, Dokumentation, Kommunikation des Forschungsprozesses wichtig, um eine geschichtskonforme Digitalisierung und keine digitalisierungskonforme Geschichte zu erreichen.

The first part oft he volume is concerned with trading and transport networks in Gaul and Germania, based on inscriptions. Networks between traders and families emerge clearly; their purpose was to secure and expand one's position in the ancient world of business. In addition, these networks illustrate the sometimes vast reach of Roman trade, as well as the close interleaving of the different organisations of the Roman business world. The volume's second part focuses on the question of an overland transport connection between the upper reaches of the rivers Saône and Moselle, which could have functioned as an alternative to a route over the Plateau de Langres. It is highly likely that this connection ran between Correa and Portieux, but the Côney is a possible alternative.
A broader frame is provided by the question of the applicability of the methods and tools of "digital history". In detail, these are network analysis and GIS, in particular least cost path analysis. It becomes clear that digital history is undoubtedly of great significance for the future of the historical sciences, and its methods and tools could well become important aids. At the same time, however, this is a journey into the unknown. In particular a closer investigation of weak points, problems and difficulties concerning the sources, research methods and research tools, as well as transparency, documentation and communication of the research process are of great importance for achieving a digitalisation effort that conforms to history, rather than a historical narrative that conforms to digitalisation.
 
The first part oft he volume is concerned with trading and transport networks in Gaul and Germania, based on inscriptions. Networks between traders and families emerge clearly; their purpose was to secure and expand one's position in the ancient world of business. In addition, these networks illustrate the sometimes vast reach of Roman trade, as well as the close interleaving of the different organisations of the Roman business world. The volume's second part focuses on the question of an overland transport connection between the upper reaches of the rivers Saône and Moselle, which could have functioned as an alternative to a route over the Plateau de Langres. It is highly likely that this connection ran between Correa and Portieux, but the Côney is a possible alternative.
A broader frame is provided by the question of the applicability of the methods and tools of "digital history". In detail, these are network analysis and GIS, in particular least cost path analysis. It becomes clear that digital history is undoubtedly of great significance for the future of the historical sciences, and its methods and tools could well become important aids. At the same time, however, this is a journey into the unknown. In particular a closer investigation of weak points, problems and difficulties concerning the sources, research methods and research tools, as well as transparency, documentation and communication of the research process are of great importance for achieving a digitalisation effort that conforms to history, rather than a historical narrative that conforms to digitalisation.