IUENNA

Web Mapping with the IUENNA Project

Learn how we visualize, analyze, and publish geospatial data for future archaeology.

Find Our Data on ARCHE Home
General Steps Examples Example Code GenAI Tools Benefits & Drawbacks

Overview

This web mapping project demonstrates how to create Web Mapping Applications (WMAs) effectively using QGIS, the qgis2web plugin, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Antigravity.

WMAs are versatile tools for visualizing spatial data, making them invaluable in fields like archaeology. They enhance the accessibility and management of archaeological datasets by providing intuitive, interactive maps. With features like layers and markers, WMAs allow researchers and the public to explore, analyze, and interact with large collections of archaeological data.

For the IUENNA project, WMAs served as gateways to navigate archaeological records from the Jauntal region. They enabled users to gain an overview of the dataset or perform targeted searches for specific resources or groups of objects. By complementing the ARCHE repository, these applications added customizable, interactive layers tailored to specific tasks, simplifying daily workflows and improving usability.

General Steps to Create a WMA

  1. Download and install QGIS on your computer to start working with geospatial data.
  2. Prepare your data in QGIS by adding vector data (e.g., Shapefiles) or raster data. Ensure that your data is properly projected and organized.
  3. Export your data from QGIS as GeoJSON (WGS84), a widely used format for web mapping.
  4. Install the qgis2web plugin through the QGIS Plugin Manager.
  5. Export your project as a web map using the plugin. Choose wether to render with Leaflet or OpenLayers.
  6. Upload the exported files (HTML, CSS, JS) to a hosting platform (e.g., GitHub Pages).
  7. Activate GitHub Pages in your repository settings to make the map publicly available.
  8. Enhance your WMA by customizing the code. GenAI tools can assist in writing filters, search features, and export functions.

Examples Using GenAI and qgis2web

Below are two interactive Web Mapping Applications (WMAs) created using cutting-edge tools: GenAI and the qgis2web plugin. These applications provide access to IUENNA's comprehensive dataset, demonstrating how digital tools enhance the exploration and management of archaeological data:

GenAI WMA

Explore a Web Mapping Application created and enhanced with GenAI. This WMA showcases how AI can automate and enhance interactive mapping for complex datasets.

Explore the GenAI WMA

qgis2web WMA

Explore a Web Mapping Application created using QGIS and the qgis2web plugin. This WMA demonstrates the power of open-source tools for interactive mapping.

Explore the qgis2web WMA

Example Code

The following HTML code shows a minimalist web mapping integration using Leaflet:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title>Example Map</title>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/leaflet/dist/leaflet.css" />
    <script src="https://unpkg.com/leaflet/dist/leaflet.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
    <div id="map" style="width: 100%; height: 500px;"></div>
    <script>
        var map = L.map('map').setView([46.5647, 14.8222], 13);
        L.tileLayer('https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png', {
            attribution: 'OpenStreetMap contributors'
        }).addTo(map);
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Live Demo WMA

Below is an embedded example of a live web mapping application powered by Leaflet. Use the layers button in the top right to filter details:

Using GenAI Tools

GenAI tools like ChatGPT by OpenAI, Claude by Anthropic, and Gemini by Google DeepMind (orchestrated via agentic frameworks like Google Antigravity) are transformative technologies. In web mapping workflows, developers can export GeoJSON data from QGIS and leverage AI to implement autocomplete search bars, data filters, and map statistics automatically, saving hours of manual scripting.

To support the data preparation phase, we developed the custom GPT IUENNA Refiner. This specialized tool assists researchers and developers in refining, cleaning, and validating the geo-attributes and metadata entries to match the target database and mapping schema perfectly.

GenAI lowers the entry barrier for beginners by offering step-by-step templates and scripts. This accelerates digital development and allows humanities projects to focus on interpretation, curation, and open-science dissemination.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits:

  • High cost-efficiency through free and open-source software (QGIS, Leaflet) and free hosting on GitHub Pages.
  • Democratizes access to cultural heritage by providing a globally accessible, structured digital twin of the datasets.

Drawbacks:

  • Basic understanding of GIS concepts is still required to pre-process data.
  • Browsers may struggle to render very large GeoJSON datasets on low-resource mobile devices.