Archaeological Documentation with New Technologies
Chair: Hansjörg THALER, Italy
On first analysis of the title of this session, one would say that it covers a very wide area. On closer reflection, however, the title itself restricts the content of the papers of this meeting when one considers that a concern with new technologies has been a priority since the first conference. Thus, in in the last few years, the development and application of many examples of new technologies have been reported and discussed: from different open GIS systems and open-source software; various applications of total stations; orthophotography, with its algorithms and remote sensing systems; the implementation of the Harris matrix; 2D and 3D open-source software systems; differing survey methods; scientific systems for dating and documenting archaeological finds and features; the use of drones; to laser scanning and 3D photo scanning technology, just to name a few examples. The purpose of this session should be the presentation of new technologies and methods of documentation that have as yet barely been discussed, rather than the repetition of the known.
“New technologies”, however, also involves discussing systems that have become known but are simply still too expensive as well as the possibility of achieving the same or similar results more cost-effectively. The technology is constantly evolving, but, naturally, so are its costs. In recent years we have again experienced a cost explosion regarding new systems, which often require very expensive equipment in terms of both hardware and software. Extremely high-performance computers with very fast and expensive graphics cards are usually prohibitive for archaeologists and archaeological institutions, especially in the era of the Spending Review. Time and again over the years interesting alternatives have been presented – fully in keeping with the spirit of this conference. The setting up of open-source software and free or less expensive alternatives for some well-known technologies should be maintained, intensified and reinvestigated.
The internet plays an increasingly important role in the process and in the publication and documentation of archaeological data, especially currently during the transition from Internet2 to semantic Internet3, and should therefore also be given due space.