Online Database of Colonial Archives
The EDGES: Entangling Indigenous Knowledges in Universities research initiative is proud to present our database: Sources for the Historical Study of Indigenous Communities. Developed as a deliverable of Work Package 2 (WP2), this digital repository serves as resource for researchers, educators, and communities engaged with Indigenous historical studies.
Coordinating Institution: Universidade Pablo de Olavide
Our database incorporates a comprehensive collection of materials, including:
- Bibliographic Resources: Scholarly works, with special emphasis on chronicles and Indigenous-authored texts
- Audiovisual Resources: Oral histories, documentaries, photographs, and curated audiovisual collections from contributing researchers
- Cartographic Materials: Historical and contemporary maps documenting Indigenous territories, migrations, and spatial relationships
- Documentary Archives: Primary historical documents, treaties, correspondence, and governmental records
Our database incorporates a comprehensive collection of materials, including:
- Semantic Enrichment: Enhances data with meaningful contextual relationships and interpretative frameworks
- Linked Open Data Architecture: Employs RDF (Resource Description Framework) and Semantic Web principles
- Interconnectivity: Enables seamless linking, exploration, and combination of data from diverse sources and institutions
- Open Access: Materials are available with our copyright restrictions, fostering collaborative research and knowledge sharing
Collaborative Development
Researchers across the EDGES consortium actively contribute to this growing repository by:
Identifying relevant historical materials from their respective regions
Contributing specialized collections reflecting diverse Indigenous experiences
Applying consistent metadata standards to ensure interoperability.
This database is an ongoing initiative currently in active development.