Higher Čech theory (Q1770810)

Let \({\mathcal E}\) be the category of set-valued sheaves on a site. The author defines the category \([Cov^n_{\mathcal E}]\) with objects the \(n\)-covers of \({\mathcal E}\) and morphisms simplicial homotopy classes of maps. If \(X\) is a simplicial object in \({\mathcal E}\), writing \([-,X]\) for the ``simplicial homotopy classes'' functor, the main result is the fact that the natural map \(\text{colim}_{[Cov^n_{\mathcal E}]}[-,X]\to \text{ho}_{{\mathcal E}^{{\Delta}^{op}}}(1,X)\) is a bijection if \(X\) is an exact \(n\)-type. As a consequence, the derived functor cohomology associated to an Eilenberg-MacLane sheaf can be computed, up to degree \(n\), via simplicial homotopy classes taken along \(n\)-covers.