Employing discrete global grid systems for reproducible data obfuscation

Area of Science:

• Archaeological Heritage Management
• Geospatial Data Science
• Cultural Heritage Protection

Background:

• Archaeological heritage sites face significant threats from looting and destruction, making site locations sensitive data.
• Public access to site location data is crucial for heritage management, urban planning, and development initiatives.
• A critical challenge lies in balancing the need for data accessibility with the imperative to protect heritage sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a novel approach for obfuscating archaeological site location data.
• To demonstrate a method for reconciling the need for data accessibility with the protection of sensitive heritage information.
• To apply a new obfuscation technique to a global archaeological dataset.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS) for obfuscating geospatial data.
• Application of the DGGS-based obfuscation method to the global p3k14c dataset.
• Development of a tiered access system based on DGGS for different stakeholder requirements.

Main Results:

• A scalable, consistent, and reproducible method for obfuscating archaeological site locations using DGGS.
• The DGGS approach allows for tailored data access levels, accommodating diverse stakeholder needs and administrative regulations.
• Successful application of the method to a global dataset, demonstrating its practical utility.

Conclusions:

• Discrete Global Grid System-based obfuscation offers a robust solution for managing sensitive archaeological site location data.
• This method effectively addresses the heterogeneity of current data protection strategies.
• The DGGS approach provides a scalable framework for secure and accessible archaeological data management worldwide.