Ethno Weapons World Map

Edster · 18th June 2012, 11:38 PM

Lee,

Now that we have your support I'm sure we will be successful.

I have a vision of what we might produce. Of course, there will be others, but this may be a place to start. Also, you may even had a design in mind.

There are essentially three primary variables: places, weapons and ethnic groups. All three could be arranged and accessed in a pick list index or by manual search entry. Names swords/knives (maybe with a thumbnail) like takouba, flyssa, shamshir or kukri (up to 40-50? different names, maybe) plus more generic items like clubs, spears, shields. Ethnic groups like Moro, Hadendawa, Rashaida, Baggara and Afar. Regions like Indonesia, Balkans, Sudan, Ottoman Empire, Hausa States with their sub-regions.

I can see using Google Earth tied to a GIS program to "fly" to a region (say Indonesia) and at a certain "altitude" all the different types of catalogued weapons would appear in icon and along with ethnic group's territory within sub-regions. Closer zoom or pointing to a particular icon would enter the database content.

Content could include 1) identifying photo (s) entire weapon and distinguishing characteristics, 2) range of variations 3) Historic / period photos of ethnic groups so armed, historical maps of various ethnic groups homeland and territory 4.) descriptive text of primary weapon and support items like helmet and shields, 5) "Free use" relevant articles, other text or content, 6.)Text and photos of contemporary uses if any.

Content of any one weapon or area could be contributed by multiple authors. You as the editor would screen and select the most appropriate submissions.

This could be a fun project.
Regards,
Ed

KuKulzA28 · 19th June 2012, 05:27 AM

This is an interesting project, and I myself once made (in photoshop) a big map of the Philippines with pictures of local blades on various islands. This was to help my own mind organize all the different types of blade variations.

I find this sort of mapping / graphical organization very fun and useful.

Emanuel · 21st June 2012, 12:19 AM

Hello,

Cool idea, I had similar thoughts some time ago when I was making maps of Janissary recruitment in Ottoman Algiers. I'm an urban planner by trade and have adequate skill in GIS mapping so I'd be happy to contribute that to this project if it gets traction.

The easiest thing in terms of presentation would be to build a GIS database along the lines outlined by Ed, map the various features and export to separate Google Earth kmz files. These would be posted on the Forum and users would just download and open in Google Earth. This would save us the need to build an interface webpage.

This would essentially be an "EAAF Atlas of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Places and Times"

Emanuel

18th June 2012, 11:38 PM	#1
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 418	Lee, Now that we have your support I'm sure we will be successful. I have a vision of what we might produce. Of course, there will be others, but this may be a place to start. Also, you may even had a design in mind. There are essentially three primary variables: places, weapons and ethnic groups. All three could be arranged and accessed in a pick list index or by manual search entry. Names swords/knives (maybe with a thumbnail) like takouba, flyssa, shamshir or kukri (up to 40-50? different names, maybe) plus more generic items like clubs, spears, shields. Ethnic groups like Moro, Hadendawa, Rashaida, Baggara and Afar. Regions like Indonesia, Balkans, Sudan, Ottoman Empire, Hausa States with their sub-regions. I can see using Google Earth tied to a GIS program to "fly" to a region (say Indonesia) and at a certain "altitude" all the different types of catalogued weapons would appear in icon and along with ethnic group's territory within sub-regions. Closer zoom or pointing to a particular icon would enter the database content. Content could include 1) identifying photo (s) entire weapon and distinguishing characteristics, 2) range of variations 3) Historic / period photos of ethnic groups so armed, historical maps of various ethnic groups homeland and territory 4.) descriptive text of primary weapon and support items like helmet and shields, 5) "Free use" relevant articles, other text or content, 6.)Text and photos of contemporary uses if any. Content of any one weapon or area could be contributed by multiple authors. You as the editor would screen and select the most appropriate submissions. This could be a fun project. Regards, Ed

19th June 2012, 05:27 AM	#2
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	This is an interesting project, and I myself once made (in photoshop) a big map of the Philippines with pictures of local blades on various islands. This was to help my own mind organize all the different types of blade variations. I find this sort of mapping / graphical organization very fun and useful.

21st June 2012, 12:19 AM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello, Cool idea, I had similar thoughts some time ago when I was making maps of Janissary recruitment in Ottoman Algiers. I'm an urban planner by trade and have adequate skill in GIS mapping so I'd be happy to contribute that to this project if it gets traction. The easiest thing in terms of presentation would be to build a GIS database along the lines outlined by Ed, map the various features and export to separate Google Earth kmz files. These would be posted on the Forum and users would just download and open in Google Earth. This would save us the need to build an interface webpage. This would essentially be an "EAAF Atlas of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Places and Times" Emanuel