for archaeological visualization and analysis

Organiser: Sarah M. DUFFY, UK

As a component of the North Sea Palaeolandscapes Project (2005 – 2006), a variety of data sources, including data collected by the petroleum industry for mineral exploration in the North Sea was reprocessed by archaeologists at Birmingham Archaeology.   Reinterrogating the datasets, specialists were able to study more than 20,000 km2 of a submerged ancient landscape and map the Early Mesolithic landscape of Doggerland. Therefore, although the original surveys were not designed for archaeological analysis, the digital datasets were, nevertheless, a valuable and reusable resource able to provide meaningful information about a prehistoric hidden archaeological resource.  This informal discussion will allow participants to explore the possibilities of reusing digital datasets for archaeological analysis and visualization.

Discussion points include:

  • Relevant projects that highlight considerations of best practice as well as implications of reuse
  • How to encourage the reuse of datasets in order to maximize their potential
  • How to encourage collaboration and sharing of data (especially commercially derived
  • datasets)
  • Specific issues related to the reuse of datasets such as:
  • Designing new research agendas for old datasets
  • Implications of (aging sometimes antiquated) data formats
  • Requirements of datasets (e.g. metadata and paradata)
  • Considerations of ownership of datasets and
  • Issues related to stewardship, preservation and archiving of resulting analysis and output

Gaffney V. Fitch S. and Smith D. (2009). Europe’s Lost World: The Rediscovery of Doggerland. CBA Research Report.

Gaffney V., Thomson K. and Fitch S. (Eds.) 2007. Mapping Doggerland: The Mesolithic Landscapes of the Southern North Sea. Archaeopress. Oxford.