BBC to create digital human archive.

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: UP FRONT: News, Trends & Analysis - Brief article

The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) announced plans to create a massive archive that will represent the most complete picture of humankind ever assembled. The BBC said it will collect the largest-ever archive of films, photographs, and personal accounts from every human group on Earth and put it all online. The project, named "Dictionary of Man," will include articles, photographs, and film on the histories, languages, and philosophies of people worldwide, according to an Associated Press report. It also will be equipped with a social networking function allowing individuals to trace their national or tribal identities around the world.

The BBC is calling on universities, anthropologists, and social historians to contribute material to the archive. Bob Geldof's production company, Ten...