National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage to publish the first Multimedia Braille-tactile Book in the Field of Archaeology

​- "Stories of the wise Prehistoric People" Elaborated through

Archaeological Sites and Artifacts

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH; JI Byongmok, Director General) of the Cultural Heritage Administration published The Stories of the wise Pre-historic People: Touch and Sound Book, the very first Multimedia Braille-Tactile Book in the Field of Archaeology integrated with braille system, audio commentaries and sounds.

The Braille-Tactile book introduces archaeological sites and artifacts utilizing braille illustrations, narrations, sounds and other means in order to provide easy understanding to the Paleolithic Era in Korea in archaeological contexts for the social minorities including the visually impaired, children and seniors.

This book is composed of three chapters: chapter 1 tells the stories of the Paleolithic people who started on using fire and tools; chapter 2 introduces archaeological sites such as the Seokjang-ri Site in Gongju and artifacts including chipped stone tools and hand-axes; and chapter 3 provides additional information in form of “Questions and Answers“.

The book contains fascinating stories, which can be read in braille or heard using the interactive talking pen, meant to be felt and enjoyed by everyone including the visually impaired, non-disabled and others as well. Also, all of the braille letters were produced with the patented water-drop technology using non-toxic natural ingredients and provides high legibility to the readers.

Notably, many people voluntarily participated in the making of this book, expressing their best wishes. Alongside five citizen participations, actor-musicians Lee Junho (2PM), Cha Taehyun, Kai (Exo) and MBC newscasters Heo Ilhu and Kim Chorong contributed their voices for the audio commentary recordings. Kim Yeji (People’s Power Party), a visually impaired member of the National Assembly and former pianist, also recorded her own congratulatory words of appreciation for the book saying that “Through this book, I hope many visually impaired can experience the birth and evolution of the mankind, as well as the lives of our ancestors imbedded in the archaeological sites and artifacts.”

The publication of the Multimedia Braille-Tactile book was carried forward as one of the main subjects of the “Government Innovation” and “Positive Administration” of the Cultural Heritage Administration, and was appointed one of the core projects befitting the strategic goals of NRICH for 2021 by the affiliated divisions, general public and academic circles.

NRICH of the Cultural Heritage Administration is to distribute the Braille-Tactile Books and interactive talking pens to schools for the blind, braille libraries, societies and foundations related to visual impairment nationwide. We sincerely hope that this book can promote appreciation and enjoyment of our cultural heritage regardless of disabilities.

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