Maps of Afro-Eurasia 
Maps of Cities 
Travel Accounts 
Chronicles 
Illuminated Codices 
Marco Polo 700 
Sites 
Archival Documents 
Paintings 
EHM incubator Dr Andrea Nanetti first theorized Engineering Historical Memory (EHM) as a Visiting Scholar at Princeton University in 2007. The first EHM tests on highly cross-linked historical data have been published in Italy in 2008 (local urban historical memory transmission)[1], 2010 (global views and networks)[2], and 2011 (regional man-heritage-landscape systems)[3]. These pioneering research and publication projects are at the basis of the subsequent and related digital humanities projects run by the EHM international initiative.
EHM has been supported by:
- University of Bologna (2008-2011)
- Università di Venezia Ca’ Foscari (2010-2012)
- Meduproject Srl (Spin-off company of the University of Bologna, 2013)
- Microsoft Research (2014-2015 and 2016-2017)
- Microsoft Azure for Research (2015-2016 and 2016)
- NTU Singapore (StartUp Grant 2014-2016, M4081357)
- Guangzhou Ruifeng Culture & Communication Co., Ltd (2017-2018)
- Singapore Ministry of Education (TIER 1 RG55/17NS, 2017-2020)
- Digimagic Pte Ltd (2019)
- Singapore Ministry of Education (TIER 1 RG45/19NS, 2019-2021)
- Techno India NJR Institute of Technology (Seed Research Grant, 2020-2021)
- Università di Venezia Ca’ Foscari (2019-ongoing, in kind)
- Università degli Studi di Firenze (2020-ongoing, in kind)
- Taylor & Francis (2020-ongoing, in kind)
- Singapore Ministry of Education (TIER 1 RG45/20NS, 2020-2023)
- State Archives of Venice (2021-ongoing, in kind)
- Marciana National Library (2021-ongoing, in kind)
- SenticNet (2022-ongoing, Sentiment Analysis APIs)
- State Archives of Venice (2021-ongoing, in kind)
- Venice Academy of Sciences, IVSLA (2022-2024, Research Scholarships)
- Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU2025 ECL, 2022-2024)
- Singapore Ministry of Education (TIER 1 RT20/22, 2023-2026)
- PKU AI Center (2024-ongoing, in kind)
- Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (2024-ongoing)
2024 CISH Internal Commission for Computational Technologies and History (ICCTH)
On 25 October 2024, the General Assembly of the Comité International des Sciences Historiques (CISH) / International Committee of Historical Sciences (ICHS), in collaboration with the international initiative Engineering Historical Memory, established an Internal Commission for Computational Technologies and History (ICCTH), which will be hosted by CISH in its Bern headquarters (LINK).
2024 The Medieval Academy of America Publication Prizes
On 16 January 2024, Engineering Historical Memory (EHM) was announced among the winners of The Medieval Academy of America 2024 Publication Prizes with the “Digital Humanities and Multimedia Studies Prize” for the Fra Mauro Map. The Academy awards the annual Digital Humanities and Multimedia Studies Prize to one outstanding digital research project in Medieval Studies.
2022 UNESCO - “Jikji Memory of the World” Award
On 28 April 2022, the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, after submitting the candidacy to the competent Italian Ministries and deeming it worthy of participating in the competition, sent the EHM project to the organisers of the Award for evaluation as mentioned this online news.
2021 Science Breakthrough of the year - Falling Walls
On 19 July 2021, Engineering Historical Memory (EHM) was announced among the finalists for Science Breakthrough of the Year in the category Social Sciences and Humanities upon nomination made by the School of Advanced Study, the University of London, on 30 Nov 2021.
2021 GLAMi Awards
On 23 April 2021, Engineering Historical Memory (EHM) was announced among the winners of the GLAMi Awards 2021 (MuseWeb Conference - Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums Innovation awards) in the “Resources for Scholars and Researchers” category. The GLAMi awards are sponsored, among others, by Microsoft (Global sponsor) and Google Arts & Culture (Gold sponsor) and annually recognise and celebrate innovative projects in the cultural heritage sector.
Student Training (174, 2012-2024):
- Irene Volpin, Marianna Volpin (the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari, Cultural Heritage, Undergrad student projects, 2012-2013)
- Luo Shen-Shen (NTU Singapore, Animated Installation for Cultural Heritage, PhD Candidate, 2014-2018)
- Christina Tan En Hui, Deborah Roshni Rajaratnam, Goh Hua Zhen, Seah Jia Xin, Seoh Wei Qi Vicki, Tay Woon Yeow (NTU Singapore, University Scholars Program, Maritime Silk Roads, 2015)
- Jolinda Soh Sing En, Kieran Yio Pei Teck (NTU Singapore, Computer Science and Engineering, Final Year Projects, 2015-2016)
- Chen Hailin (NTU Singapore, Computer Science and Engineering, Intern at Microsoft Research Beijing, 2016-2017)
- Alicia Soon Biqi, Boey Yi Heen, Charmaine Choo Xinyi, Daniel Lim Tien Ming, Luar Shu Qi, Randy Toh Yong Hung, Siau Wen Hui (NTU Singapore, University Scholars Program, Maritime Silk Roads, 2016)
- Liu DanYun (NTU Singapore, User Experience of Renaissance World Maps Online, PhD Candidate, 2016-2021)
- Ker Min Jie (NTU Singapore, Computer Science and Engineering, Final Year Project, 2018)
- Vu Nguyen Khoi (Hanoi University of Science, Final Year Project, 2018)
- Esther Goh Hui Fen, Lai Yun Sxin, Lim Mengyu, Michelle Neoh Jin Yee, Shen Fuyang, Teo Wei Siang Eugene, Vanessa Ellen Nah Mei Yin (NTU Singapore, University Scholars Program, Maritime Silk Roads, 2018)
- Ong Victor (NTU Singapore, Animation, MA Candidate, 2019)
- Andree Hansen Wibowo (NTU Singapore, Visual Communication, Undergrad Student Work, 2019)
- Gerald Wee (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergrad on internship at the National Library of St Mark in Venice, 2019)
- Li TinGyi, Fan Qing, Chen YuanYuan (the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari, Undergrad Student Work 2019-2020)
- Hedren Sum (NTU Singapore, Art History, PhD Candidate, 2019-2022)
- Jebra Ruth Won, Oen Weng Wah Nicholas, Yip Jun Sheng, Yap Wei Ying (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergraduate Student Work, 2020-2022
- Jonathan Kevin Chandra (NTU Singapore, Computer Science and Engineering, Final Year Project, 2020)
- Clemens Tan Yu Chen (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergrad Student Work, 2020)
- Oen Weng Wah Nicholas and Teo Jing Yi (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergrad Student Work and Internship at the DIDALABS of the University of Florence, 2020)
- Antón Del Bianco, Chiara Paolucci, Erica Verlato, Giorgia Pometti, Manuel Bonomo, Sephora Vallotton, Giuseppe De Donno, Giovanni Maglia, Giulia Laudenzi, Giulia Ailello, Giorgia Procida, Amir Jerbi, Laura Sai, Nader Odeh (the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari, Undergrad and Graduate Students on Internship, 2020-2021)
- Xu Peisen (NTU Singapore, Animation, MA Candidate, Graduate Student Work, 2020-2022)
- Yap Wei Wen Marc (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergrad Student Work, 2020-2021)
- Giselle Lim, Muhammad Khaizuran bin Rashid, Ng Sok Huei Sophia, Syaza Nisrina binte Khairul Lizan, Suhita Arindyah Kusumawardhani (NTU Singapore, English Literature and Art History, Undergrad student projects, 2021)
- Muhammad Zaqeer bin Mohd Radzi and Jessabel Teng Sheng Hui (NTU Singapore, Animation, SGUnited Traineeship Program, 2020-2021)
- Tay Jun Pin (NTU Singapore, History, Undergrad student project, 2021)
- Zhang Haoxiang (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, PRC, Undergrad student project, 2021)
- Ping Chuchen, Zhang Ziqi (Nanjing University, PRC, Undergrad student projects, 2021; volunteer, 2022-2023)
- Yap Wei Ying (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergrad Student Work, 2021)
- Philippe van Mastrigt, Philip Groet, Owen van Hooff (Delft University of Technology, BSc Graduation Project, 2021)
- Max Deutman, Mathijs van Geerenstein, Laurens Vergroesen (Delft University of Technology, BSc Graduation Project, 2021)
- Cristian Meo, Alberto Dall'Ora, Yao Yuanyuan (Delft University of Technology, MSc's Student Class Project, 2021)
- Qi Zhang, Renjie Dai (Delft University of Technology, MSc's summer project, 2021)
- Theophilus Kwek Siew Sien (NTU Singapore, Computer Science and Engineering, Undergrad Student Work, 2021)
- Yao Yuanyuan, Yanan Hu, Qi Zhang (Delft University of Technology, MSc's Student Thesis, 2021-2022)
- Muhammad Syahrul Anuar bin Batiar (NTU Singapore, Photography, Undergraduate Student Work, 2021)
- Sophie-Isabelle Tan Lee Ann, Yee Chenhui Elizabeth (NTU Singapore, English Literature and Art History, Undergrad student projects, 2021)
- Tan Shi Ying (NTU Singapore, Environment Earth Systems Science, Undergraduate student project, 2021)
- Au Jun Wen Nicole, Celeste Chia Yi Ying, Chee Jia Min Nicole, Chee Shaowei Ellen, Colette Chong Shi Min, Goh Eng Min Joanne, Jasmine Goh Jia May, Kho Hong Kai, Phoebe Ng Zi Ying, Poh Shi Jie Louis, Renee Wong Tong Ling, Wong Shiqi Jay, Yip Jin Sheng (NTU Singapore, Visualising Cultural Heritage, Undergrad student projects, 2021)
- Lee Zhao Heng Ryan, Chen Hao En Joshua, Nan Shi Yuan, Bervyn Chua Lee Ann (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergraduate Student Work, 2021-2022
- Haney Khairunnisa Binte Mohd Nor, Amira Firzana bte Mohidden Abdul Kader (NTU Singapore, History, Undergraduate Student Work, 2021-2022
- Aron Hoogeveen, Lars Hoogland, Matthijs Korevaar, Leo Zheng, Max van Oort, Robert Bos (Delft University of Technology, Bachelor Graduation Project, 2022)
- Laura Angellotto, Rossella Fioretti, Margherita Giglio, Sabrina Langella, Matteo Murru, Sabrina Passeggio, Antonio Pitarresi, Manuel Trivelli, Martina Vanacore (Università di Napoli “L’Orientale”, Internships, 2022-2023)
- Zhang Fusun (Nantong University, School of Art, Undergraduate Student; Volunteer, 2023)
- Sebastiano Siviero, Marco Francescato (the University of Venice Ca’ Foscari, Graduate Student on Internship, 2023)
- Chua Jia Xun, Chang Jia Min, Tan Hui Xuan (NTU Singapore, History, Undergraduate Student Work, 2023)
- Alex Said Aboganem Campos, Tommaso Benenti, Beatrice Maggian, Mariia Molodtsova, Nadezda Tsarkova (University of Venice Ca’ Foscari, Graduate Students, Digital History class project, 2023-2024)
- Loket Anthony Wen Loong Nusirihan, Vijayanarayanan Sai Arunavan, Tan Hui Xuan, Wei Qin (NTU Singapore, URECA Programme, 2023-2024)
- Sinha Siddharth, Lili Zhang (NTU Singapore, Animation, Graduate Student Work, 2023-2024)
- Seh Wei Liea (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergraduate Student Work, 2023-2024)
- Nor Nadhirah Binte Rahimie, Muhammad Rusyaidi Safwan Bin Mohamad, Thahirah Binte Kamarudin, Zainab Binte Iskandar, Tan Yi-Xian Benjamin, Irdina Syaurah Binte Mohd Azrol, Nurul Huda Binte Husein, Sia Jingmay Erlisa Sharida, Siti Aisyah Binte Rahman, Hasha Iman Binte Khamilnullah (NTU Singapore, History, Undergraduate Student Work, 2023-2024)
- Moe Thu, and Poon Wei Kang (NTU Singapore, Nanyang Business School, Blockchain, Graduate Student Work, 2024)
- Chithra Ramesh Asswin (NTU Singapore, Artificial Intelligence, Graduate Student Work, 2024)
- Fang Zong Rui Dexter, Yu Qinshu, Siddharth Sinha (NTU Singapore, Animation, Graduate Student Work, 2024)
- Ng Kai Ming (NTU Singapore, Animation, Undergraduate Student Work, 2024)
- Immacolata Gabriella Ciliberti, Clelia Cozzolino, Martina Della Corte, Touriya Hajjoub, Alessia Imitazione, Adriano Livrieri, Veronica Lungo, Emilia Padovano, Vittorio Stumpo, Davide Terracciano, Vanessa Venezia, Sara Zahri (Università di Napoli “L’Orientale”, Internships, 2024)
- Matteo Murru (Università di Napoli “L’Orientale”, Volunteer, Tutor of the Students on Internship, 2024)
- Tommaso Benenti, Beatrice Maggian, Samuele Internicola, Michelle de Paola, Zaccaria Tona (University of Venice Ca’ Foscari, Graduate Students, Digital History, special class project, 2024)
- Ma Mingwei (NTU Singapore, URECA Programme, 2024-2025)
External Service for Data Entering in the EHM Database:
- Archivisti Veneti S.A.S. di Lorenzo Maggi & C. (2014-2016)
- Francesca Pivirotto Individual/Company (2018-2021)
EHM Home Page
URL to the previous EHM Home Page Background, superseded by the current one on 10 December 2024.
The redesign of the EHM home page represents the open-access dissemination of a student project supported by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Academic Research Fund TIER 1 (PI Andrea Nanetti, 2023-2026, RT20/22). This student project was run during Academic Year 24/25 Semester 1 at Nanyang Technological University Singapore. Under the supervision of Prof Andrea Nanetti and coordination by his research assistant, Yifang Cui, two undergraduate students from the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) – Wei Qin and Joey Yeo Hui Ting – worked on crafting a new EHM homepage. The goal was to construct a more interactive and immersive opening interface, drawing inspiration from the concepts and features of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and the Metaverse. PWAs are applications developed using web technologies, designed for installation and seamless operation across all devices from a single codebase [4]. For features of the Metaverse, refer to the “Designing Interactive Architectures for the Metaverse” application published on EHM (LINK).
Building on Wei Qin and Joey’s initial design ideas, Prof Andrea Nanetti’s research assistant, Keng Siang Lee, coded the current home page from September to December 2024. The home page adopts a pixelated style reminiscent of computers, arcade and video games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. At the centre of the homepage, visitors are greeted by three animated cubes. The design inspirations for each cube are explained below.
- Cube 1: Artefacts
The “Artefacts” cube encompasses all EHM applications dedicated to the open access of primary historical sources and relevant scholarship. Its design features Fra Mauro’s World Map as the base canvas, with the 2D ships on the map transformed into 3D objects.
- Cube 2: Toolkit
The “Toolkit” cube contains applications presenting the outcomes of the EHM research team’s experiments with various emerging and established computer technologies and their applications in historical studies. The cube’s design took inspiration from the 1979 movie Star Trek: The Motion Picture, where the ending scene depicts the merging of human (the “Creator”) and machine (“V’Ger”) [5]. This design symbolises the idea of historians embracing information and communication technologies while being empowered by digital tools to study and preserve humanity’s cultural treasures.
- Cube 3: Narratives
The “Narratives” cube includes EHM applications focused on specific themes or narratives. The visuals on the cube’s surface are derived from several applications on EHM. The orbiting rings around the cube are inspired by the Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto’s The Third Paradise, where the circles represent “nature”, “artifice”, and “the generative womb of a new humanity”. This means the reconciliation of the conflicting forces of nature and artifice in modern society [6].
EHM Old Home Page Background
Clip taken from a 16mm film (https://vimeo.com/234588123) with optical sound on a looper and 12 hand painted collage slides looping on a carousel slide projector projecting on a painted double screen, 15-minute loop, dimensions variable, 2016. The film is based on performance: 34 individual hand-painted 16mm looped film strips played on two projectors, 12 hand-painted collage 35mm slides using one slide projector, projected onto a double painted screen (The projection screen is uniquely designed and built by Raha Raissnia using two hand-painted screens that are overlaid. The outer screen is of sheer material from which light penetrates and reflects. The back screen has a specific texture painted with black oil on canvas. This double screen creates an optical effect), 20 minutes, 2016. Music by Panagiotis Mavridis performing on his homemade pipe and string instruments. “In Greek mythology, Mneme is one of the three muses. She is memory personified. Her two sisters are Aoide, muse of song and music, and Melete, muse of study. When I finished making this work and showed it to Panagiotis, he said it made him think of how our memory works. The work is made of pre-existing materials that I cut, painted, and collaged, making something entirely new. So, after reflecting a bit, I agreed with him that, yes, this is analogous to the way our memory functions; Mneme puts together bits and pieces from the past and forms new meaning in the present.” – Raha Raissnia
[1] A. Nanetti, Ancient and Medieval Imola in Modern chronicles of the city. A case study for engineering historical memory, in Italian. Imola: Editrice La Mandragora, 2008 (ISBN 978-88-7586-176-6).