RETOLD website: products, features, manuals and more
RETOLD is a documentation system developed specifically for archaeological and ethnographic open-air museums. In open-air museums, collections often do not consist of portable physical objects. Instead, buildings and practical craft skills are central to the museum. Our goal is to empower museums to create meaningful connections with their audiences through a robust digital presence.
In 2024, we made the decision to consolidate all RETOLD products into a unified platform on our portal website. This site does not only showcase our achievements but also serves as a comprehensive resource for our work. Initially, we considered continuing with printed manuals and white books in PDF format. However, adapting to the evolving digital landscape, we embraced an entirely digital approach, which aligns perfectly with our overarching theme.
At RETOLD.eu, you will discover:
1. The Vision and Goals of RETOLD
An overview of our mission and objectives, detailing how we aim to contribute to the field of heritage preservation.
https://retold.eu/introduction
2. Case Study - Journey
A deep dive into the journey we have undertaken alongside our museum partners, particularly Steinzeitpark Dithmarschen in Albersdorf (Germany). This section illustrates the processes we followed, offering insights for other museums. It shows that adopting these practices is not only feasible but also highly rewarding.
https://retold.eu/case-study
In this section we also showcase all what the RETOLD partners documented about Buildings and Crafts:
https://retold.eu/case-study/outcome
3. Whitebook Manual on Digitisation
Our whitebook provides a practical guide to digitisation, including both the essentials and actionable tips. Key topics covered are: Technical Requirements, Preparing Your Digital Materials, Digitisation – Practical Aspects, 2D Media: Still Photography and Video Creation, Craft Documentation Videos, 3D Media: Creating 3D Models. With these tools, readers can gain a clear understanding of digitisation and seamlessly progress to the next phase: Features.
https://retold.eu/getting-started
4. Features
The RETOLD system is designed with two primary capabilities: Documenting Crafts: Including detailed video documentation and Documenting Buildings: Comprehensive forms and guidelines. Before starting, users must complete the Setting Up section (4 forms), which is supported by 23 meticulously developed forms based on three years of research and trials.
https://retold.eu/features
5. RETOLD Stories – Sharing and Integrating
This section inspires users to maximize the potential of their digital material. It offers guidance on leveraging documentation as both an archive of best practices and a tool for engaging audiences. Highlights include: Sharing and Integrating 3D Media and Future Directions. We once again featured our Case Study museum to illustrate the practical aspects of digitizing media.
https://retold.eu/retold-stories