The use of new web technologies for the analysis, preservation, and outreach of paleontological information and its application to La Rioja (Spain) paleontological heritage

Abstract

The present work proposes a project of digital preservation and dissemination of information concerning paleontological sites located in the municipality of Enciso (La Rioja, Spain) by means of the regional SDI (Spatial Data Infrastructure) of La Rioja Government. In its original configuration, the system provides the location and general descriptive data of all the officially declared sites within the municipal boundaries. Besides, in-depth information is provided for one particular case–Valdecevillo site–for which the available datasets generated over the last 30 years (photographs, slides, plans, papers, etc.) were reviewed and sorted. Afterwards, a choice of this material was selected for digitization and online dissemination. Moreover, information has been enriched with a three-dimensional (3D) model of the current state and a video report. The present work concludes with a reflection on the usefulness and the implications of this approach for the management of the paleontological heritage.