Computing for Archaeologists - Eiteljorg

Outline for Computing for Archaeologists

I History of Archaeologists and Computing

1. Job
1. Find material remains - DISCOVERY
2. Unearth them in  away that maximizes the info they can convey
3. Interpret the evidence
4. *Record-keeping - "It can be argued that record-keeping is the real occupation of archaeologists" (p.20).
2. Record-Keeping as Key
1. Must keep records of both archaeological context AND the artifacts
2. Archaeologist saw responsibility for record-keeping and first started using computers in '50's. 
1. Computers stilled viewed as "arcane and foreign" (p. 21)
2. Cost and access limits made use of computers very difficult and date stored nearly impossible to retrieve
3. Used by archaeologists mainly for statistical processing - COMPARING
3. By 60's databanks were being used (archaeologists were increasing aware of their vast storage power)
4. By 70's new database software made more efficient record-keeping
1. Necessary due to vast amount of materials collected
2. Saw that "more careful and conscientious attention to small finds and fragmentary evidence could only become common with the advent of better recording techniques" (p. 21). 
3. Just in time came the arrival of micro-computers which made retrieval of this data efficient, flexible, and possible for scholars
4. *Talks about archaeologists' issue with not being willing to choose what info is and isn't useful, and the necessity for SAMPLING

II Tools as a Mode (Svensson)

1. Databases
1. "Original interest stemmed from hope that data storehouses could be used to retrieve and analyze info from related excavations, thus permitting broader syntheses" (p. 22) - COMPARING
2. Long-term dataset preservation for future access is another goal and self-realized responsibility of archaeologists
1. *Because neither recovered artifacts and the data about them is complete without the other
2. GIS Programs (Geographic Information System)
1.  GIS as a TOOL but also a PRIMITIVE
1.    ** The usefulness of GIS is that it can be created for one discipline and used for another
2.  Used for graphical mapping
3.  CAD (Computer-assisted design) software
1. Used for record-keeping drawings OR reconstruction
2. Archaeologists tend to use for record-keeping
4. Other useful tools
1. Commercial software allows for broader access to files, thus encourages collaboration
2. Internet communication (i.e. email and websites) are an important facet of collaboration for researchers living on separate continents
3. Coloration of photos - too expensive in print journals but possible when digitized
4. 3-D modeling of artifacts
5. Conclusion for TOOLS: a.) the ability to manage more date more efficiently is the most important benefit computers have brought to archaeology b.) Also provides many ways to retrieve info, analyze, ask questions of data, and to understand and COMPARE data

III Cons and Limitations of Humanities Computing in Archaeology

1. Archaeologists spend more time with computers than the actual artifacts - run risk of losing familiarity with them
2. Use of computers is limited to scholars' knowledge of them
3. Absence of formal training in computing

IV State of Computing in Archaeology

1. Not a universally understood responsibility on the part of archaeologists to prepare digital materials for online repositories for future generations
2. Electronic publication still has not achieved the validity and permanence of print publication

** Conclusion: "The transformation for paper-based to digital recording is still incomplete" (Eiteljorg).