Extended Matrix Release Notes - Version 1.4

Release Date: 2024-10-15

Version 1.4 of the Extended Matrix formal language introduces new features aimed at enhancing the ability to describe and formalize surface degradation and transformations over time. Below are the key updates included in this release:

1. Addition of the Transformation Static Graphic Unit (TSU) Node

• Description: The new TSU node has been introduced to formalize and represent static surface degradation phenomena. It enables the description of changes in a stratigraphic unit or physical object, such as walls or other surfaces, affected by long-term degradation processes.
• Usage: The TSU node provides a conceptual and visual representation of surface changes over time, facilitating the analysis and interpretation of surfaces that have undergone structural or aesthetic alterations, such as erosion, discoloration, or fragmentation.
• Benefits: With the TSU node, users can integrate detailed information about the condition of surfaces, connecting these changes to the broader timeline of an archaeological site or architectural structure.

2. Introduction of the Dotted Connector

• Description: The new dotted connector has been added to link multiple instances of the same stratigraphic unit that has transformed or moved over time. This connector enables users to establish a relationship between different versions of the same element, describing how it evolved or was relocated.
• Example of Use: A wall with stratigraphic unit US100 found in a collapsed state during an excavation can be linked via the dotted connector to US100B, representing the same wall relocated to a different position as part of an anastylosis. This preserves the semantic connection between the two instances of the object while acknowledging the change in position or condition over time.
• Application: Ideal for representing structural elements or artifacts that have been altered, moved, or reconstructed while maintaining a unique reference to their historical origin.

3. General Improvements

• Optimization of temporal queries to incorporate degradation data through TSU nodes.
• Enhanced rendering of dotted connections for improved visualization in knowledge graphs.

4. Changes in the repo structure

• Removed old 04 EMF folder: the zip files have been moved in the releases section of the GitHub page of the tools (3dsc and EMtools)

Compatibility: Version 1.4 is fully compatible with previous versions of Extended Matrix and existing APIs.

For further details on implementation or technical inquiries, please refer to the updated documentation or contact technical support.

Publications

Main bibliographical reference (open access) of the current version of the EM (1.4) is:

Scopinaro, Eleonora, Emanuel Demetrescu, e Simone Berto. 2024. «Towards the Definition of Transformation Stratigraphic Unit (TSU) as New Section of the Extended Matrix Methodology». Acta IMEKO 13 (3): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v13i3.1830.