Digital Tools for Archaeology

Abstract

A Methods Network working paper. The use of computers in archaeology has a lengthy history and practitioners within the discipline can claim, with some justification, that both the technology they use and the methods that theyve adopted have more of a relationship to scientific practice (including computer science) than those adopted by colleagues in many other arts and humanities disciplines. Ultimately, this has no pejorative meaning in the context of what the various disciplines may have a remit to accomplish, but it nonetheless begins to explain the basis of a common perception that archaeology is ahead of some of its neighbours in certain areas that relate to the use of ICT, notably perhaps: the development of standard approaches to electronic documentation; the use of collaborative frameworks for technological research; and the broad integration of globally established digital spatial reference systems. Taking into account the longevity of the relationship between archaeologists and computing, it is difficult to effectively summarise the range of digital tools that are available to researchers. Additionally, providing some context for the use of these tools is similarly problematic, given that there is so much activity and so many projects to choose from. The objective of this working paper is, therefore, to block out some broad categories of tools usage and to provide some examples of methods and approaches that relate to those tools. Whilst this approach may not reveal very much to researchers who are experienced in using specific or multiple technologies at an advanced level, it may nonetheless provide a useful foundation document, onto which more nuanced and technically complex additional material might be appended.