Using Tools in Ways in Which They Were Not Intended: A Test Case of the Use of PlanGrid for Field Registration at Tel Burna

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of the use of PlanGrid as a test case for its adaptation as an archaeological data collection tool for the Tel Burna archaeological project. PlanGrid was designed as an iPad app for construction workers to have cloud-based access to blueprint drawings that multiple users could simultaneously access and heavily annotate during the construction process. Over the course of the last two seasons, the Tel Burna archaeological project has implemented and modified PlanGrid for use during field excavation. The goal of this implementation was to use PlanGrid as a replacement for traditional archaeological paper registration forms, such as hand-drawn top plans, journals, and basket and locus cards. Our experiences with PlanGrid indicate that the program has a high degree of adaptability that allows an archaeologist to concisely and accurately collect many types of data in an organized and intuitive manner. In this paper, we will show several different examples of how we implemented PlanGrid at Tel Burna, as well as provide instructional guidelines for interested users.