The 2nd Semantic Annotation for the Ancient World (SA4AW) conference examines the role of semantic annotation in dialogue with hybrid AI approaches, large language models (LLMs), deep learning, and knowledge graphs in the study of the ancient world and cultural heritage. Semantic annotation—whether manual, automated, or human-in-the-loop—enables the identification and linking of concepts, entities, and relationships, transforming raw textual and visual data into structured, interoperable knowledge. At a moment when LLMs can generate fluent interpretations but require grounding in domain-specific context, semantic annotation and knowledge graphs provide essential transparency, precision, and reusability. We welcome contributions that showcase methods, tools, case studies, theoretical reflections, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. In line with FAIR and Linked Open Data principles, the conference encourages open and accessible research practices.
Submissions: Submit abstracts (750-1000 words) at the EasyChair by February 15th.
Contact: sa4aw.contact@gmail.com
The conference is organised by the TALOS Centre in AI4SSH of the University of Crete (Horizon ERA Chair TALOS AI4SSH ID: 101087269) in collaboration with the Department of Philology, University of Crete.
- Ontology-driven semantic annotation
- Standardisation
- Multilingual annotation practices
- Automatic and semi-automatic annotation
- Annotation of ancient geography
- FAIR/LOD data
- Semantic Web
- NER for ancient Greek/Latin
- RDF-based digital editions
- Methods, tools, and platforms
CALL FOR PAPERS
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Terhi Nurmikko-Fuller (Australian National University)
Oh LAWD, oh LAWD, oh LAWD: Reflections on Linked Ancient World Data projects
Abstract
The Linked Ancient World Data Initiative ran its first iterations in 2012 and 2013. This event was a pivotal moment, creating communities, collaborations, and publications. This talk will discuss example projects within this space, highlight the value of applying semantic technologies to ancient world data, and celebrate the communities which have engaged and pioneered in this niche specialism. It pulls on heuristics of past projects, flags the dangers of presentism, and asks whether digital technologies that have been built from the omniscient perspectives of complete, clean, and modern data can truly be applied to the incomplete, ambiguous, and heterogenous datasets that map the ancient world in ways that are accurate, true, or even simply unproblematic.
Bio
Dr Terhi Nurmikko-Fuller is an Associate Professor, Information Interaction at the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Her interdisciplinary research examines different methods for data linking and integration, and how digital technologies support and diversify research. She is the author of “Linked Data for Digital Humanities” (2023, Routledge), and has publications that cover a range of topics from the use, development, and critical evaluation of Linked Data to gamification and informal online environments in education. She has also created 3D digital models for the British Museum (cuneiform tablets), the National Museum of Australia (carved boab nuts), and UNESCO (Fels Cave in Vanuatu). Terhi is an Honorary Associate Professor at POLIS, the Centre for Social Policy and Research at the Australian National University; a member of the Territory Records Advisory Council, Policy and Cabinet Division, of the Chief Minister Australian Capital Territory Government; and a co-chair of the Australian Government Linked Data Working Group.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Travel to Crete
The University of Crete is located in Rethymno, Crete.
Rethymno is equidistant between two international airports, Chania (CHQ) and Heraklion (HER).
Journey time from either airport to Rethymno is approximately an hour via bus. From CHQ, the KTEL bus service will bring you directly to Rethymno.
From HER, there is a smaller local bus which will bring you to the central Heraklion bus station where you can catch a KTEL bus to Rethymno.
For information on the KTEL bus schedule, visit this site.
Accommodation in Rethymno
Rethymno sees a lot of tourists in the summer months, so there are plenty of options for accommodation.
We recommend Jo-An Palace, Achillion Palace, or Theartemis Palace, which are all centrally located in Rethymno.
Travel to Conference Venue
“XENIA”, the Student and Cultural Center at the University of Crete, is located in downtown Rethymno at Nikolaou Psarrou 46. The venue is walking distance from hotels in the city center.
For participants staying outside of the center of Rethymno, the University bus runs through the city center every twenty minutes. Tickets for the bus can be purchased at a variety of kiosks throughout the city, and cost 1,40 euro (0,70 for students). Look for the bus labelled University/Πανεπιστήμιο.
Local Information
For more about Rethymno and the University of Crete, you can visit the following sites:
IMPORTANT DATES
Assist. Professor in Digital Humanities & Classics, TALOS AI4SSH &
Department of Philology (University of Crete)
PROGRAM
COMMITTEE
- Elton Barker
- The Open University
- Monica Berti
- Universität Leipzig - Institut für Informatik
- Chiara Palladino
- Durham University
- Alek Keersmaekers
- KU Leuven
- Eleonora Litta
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- Leif Isaksen
- University of Exeter
- Anna Novokhatko
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
- Antonis Bikakis
- University College London
- Annie Lamar
- UC Santa Barbara
- Eleni Gkadolou
- British School at Athens
- Terhi Nurmikko-Fuller
- Australian National University
- Maxim Kupreyev
- OPERAS RI
- Nelson Henrique Da Silva Ferreira
- University of Coimbra
- Christophe Roche
- University of Savoie
- Silvia Piccini
- Istituto di Linguistica Computazionale, Pisa
- Delfim Leão
- University of Coimbra