Preserving Fragile Cartographic Heritage: A Digital Framework for Georeferencing, Cataloguing and Interpreting Historical Maps

Abstract

Historical maps constitute a vital component of cultural heritage, preserving evidence of historical landscapes, territorial evolution, environmental change, and socio-cultural development. However, the physical deterioration of archival cartographic collections and the growing demand for digital accessibility have created an urgent need for integrated preservation strategies. This review synthesizes recent advances in digital approaches for preserving, georeferencing, cataloguing, and interpreting fragile historical maps. The literature highlights the transition from conventional conservation methods to comprehensive digital workflows that incorporate high-resolution digitization, georeferencing techniques, standardized metadata, historical Geographic Information Systems (HGIS), artificial intelligence, computer vision, and WebGIS platforms. The review further examines the role of interoperable repositories, FAIR data principles, and collaborative digital infrastructures in enhancing long-term accessibility, scholarly reuse, and institutional cooperation. Emerging technologies, including digital twins, remote sensing, and intelligent data integration, are also evaluated for their potential to strengthen heritage documentation and spatial analysis. Based on the synthesized evidence, an integrated digital framework is proposed that connects preservation, spatial processing, repository management, and heritage dissemination within a unified ecosystem. The review concludes that sustainable preservation of historical cartographic heritage requires standardized workflows, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continued technological innovation to ensure that fragile cartographic collections remain authentic, accessible, and valuable for research, education, and cultural heritage management in the digital era.