Archaeological Computing

Archaeological Computing is intended to provide an introduction to the use of digital technologies for archaeologists. The first two chapters of the book include discussions of a variety of general computing issues, with special emphases on some matters of more importance to scholars, especially archaeologists, than typical computer users. The three following chapters are focused on the three critical data-recording technologies for archaeological projects - database management, GIS, and CAD - in that sequence. The authors explore the capabilities of those three software types, and much of the discussion centers on organizing data effectively so that the capabilities of the software - and the utility of the software for archaeologists - can be maximized. In the sixth chapter other digital technologies - including digital images, audio, and various kinds of moving images - are discussed in terms of the problems raised by their being digital as opposed to film- or paper-based. A lengthy discussion of digital data protection and preservation follows in the seventh chapter. The eighth and final chapter provides a wrap-up.

 

Abbreviated Table of Contents:

• Introduction - Why?
• Chapter I - Some Basics
• Chapter II - Computing and Computers
• Chapter III - Recording Data about Objects, Loci, Trenches, Features, . . .
  from Archaeological Projects: Databases and Database Management Systems
• Chapter IV - Combining Maps and Data: Geographic Information Systems
• Chapter V - Modeling Objects, Loci, Trenches, Features, . . .
  from Archaeological Projects: Computer-Aided Design Software
• Chapter VI - Miscellany: Digital Images, Audio Recordings, Videos, and Text
• Chapter VII - Protecting and Preserving the Archaeological Record
• Chapter VIII - Conclusion

Archaeological Computing is available here, at no cost, as a PDF download. Publishing in this way means, among other things, that the book can be changed by the authors with relatively little trouble. The authors, of course, think the book is all but perfect as it stands; so they are counting on the readers to suggest the ways that change is needed. We need to know if there are terms in need of definitions, terms in need of better definitions, fuller or more coherent explanations needed for specific topics, topics in need of coverage, more illustrations needed, desirable changes in formatting, or . . . . We are counting on you, the reader, to let us know and to help make this book better and better over time. To do that, please email Mr. Eiteljorg or Mr. Limp (see the CSA email contacts page for the email address).

• This page will contain information about the version of the book currently available so that any user will know its date and revision history. The current version is the first; there has been one minor revision to correct a formatting error on the even-numbered Table of Contents pages in the duplex version only. The original version was completed in March of 2007 and made available in April, 2007. The revision was made on that same day.

We hope to use the web site to assist readers in other ways, two of them being carried out already. You will find a page concerned with table joins and SQL queries here. In addition, there is a unified glossary here to augment the glossary in the book, which is spread out over several chapters, each with a glossary for its own subject matter. Other, similar pages will be added to the site, as needed, in response to readers' needs. Note, though, that we cannot predict those needs and must hear from the readers to know what things to try to add - and in what way(s) to add them. We have considered discussion groups of several kinds, but we decided to plan nothing in advance and to wait for the readers to tell us through their comments what things might be useful. Your feedback is therefore crucial.

Downloading the PDF File.

There are two versions of the book, one for standard printing on one side of the paper only and the other for duplex printing. The text is the same; the only differences are the arrangements of margins and the orientations of pages that will be on the left in the duplex version, making the two versions equally useful on screen. Either version should have margins wide enough to permit using either a loose-leaf binder or a spring binder. Layout was based on North-American-sized 8.5 x 11 in. paper, but the margins should permit printing on A4 paper as well.

By downloading either version, you are agreeing to the following terms:

• You may download the PDF as often as you like, and you may use the file on screen, by making a printed version, or both.
• Your own use of the PDF file is limited only in that you may not modify it. However, you may not give or sell the file to anyone else.
• You may print as many copies from the PDF as you wish, but only for your own use. No copies may be printed for others, regardless of whether or not a fee is charged by you.
• Nothing in the foregoing should be seen as limiting your right to refer to, quote, or cite the work in standard academic fashion.

These conditions are intended simply to make certain that any user knows the date and currency of the version of the document at hand - and to be sure that alterations that might alter the intent of the authors are not made.

To continue to the download page, please click here.

We hope you find this useful, and we look forward to knowing your reactions to the book.

 

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About this document:

• Title: Archaeological Computing
• File name: index.html (at archcomp.csanet.org)
• Author: Harrison Eiteljorg, II and the staff of CSA, Box 60, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, (email: see the CSA email contacts page.) tel.: 610-256-4665)
• Revision history: This document is now in its initial form (with the trivial change described above), but changes are expected to occur regularly; there will be no archiving of past versions, absent a specific need to do so. Posted 12 April 2007.
• Internet access: This document is maintained at archcomp.csanet.org by the Center for the Study of Architecture and Harrison Eiteljorg, II. Note that there may be changes in computer addresses that are beyond the control of CSA.
• Long-term availability: This document or its successors will be maintained for electronic access indefinitely. Prior versions will not be archived, absent some specific need to archive one or more unique version.
• Citation permissions and copyright information: This document is copyrighted by CSA. Citations should include the date of the document cited.