24th April 2012, 12:52 PM
I see a future that is digital..................
With sites overlayed onto layers of digital information, aerial photographs, satellite ifra-red data, Lidar etc.
Just enter a time frame into the program and watch the layers peel back to reveal the distribution of known sites (but don't forget to check the layer showing the distribution of investigations before you start interpretation patterns.)
Each site can be clicked on to reveal a digital copy of all the reports written about it, with external links to journal entries that came up on the keyword search (Thus the researcher can follow any academic discussion arising from the site)
But for those interested in the detail can delve into the digital site archive.....the plans, the photographs...and individual context sheets.
Then from the finds link, the researcher finds themself in the virtual artefact store (virtual reality suit required - or implant for those with the money). Here they can wander the virtual aisles stacked high with 'folders' containing the digital find presences. Its a simple matter to follow the directories to find the pottery sherds from context 3339. Then the researcher can 'handle' the virtual sherds, bringing up any stored information upon cross-matches with other contexts, possible vessel reconstructions, comparisons with sherds from other sites and if lucky, a link to the kiln site where the sherd was made.
The sherd also has links to any analysis carried out upon it such as TL dating, RHX dating, thin sectioning, absorbed residue etc, etc.
And while the research travels this virtual world they store, review and collate information into a file to be taken away to form the core of their own work................
A dream? Maybe, but its the only way I can see of storing and making use of the vast data potential that is the past.
With sites overlayed onto layers of digital information, aerial photographs, satellite ifra-red data, Lidar etc.
Just enter a time frame into the program and watch the layers peel back to reveal the distribution of known sites (but don't forget to check the layer showing the distribution of investigations before you start interpretation patterns.)
Each site can be clicked on to reveal a digital copy of all the reports written about it, with external links to journal entries that came up on the keyword search (Thus the researcher can follow any academic discussion arising from the site)
But for those interested in the detail can delve into the digital site archive.....the plans, the photographs...and individual context sheets.
Then from the finds link, the researcher finds themself in the virtual artefact store (virtual reality suit required - or implant for those with the money). Here they can wander the virtual aisles stacked high with 'folders' containing the digital find presences. Its a simple matter to follow the directories to find the pottery sherds from context 3339. Then the researcher can 'handle' the virtual sherds, bringing up any stored information upon cross-matches with other contexts, possible vessel reconstructions, comparisons with sherds from other sites and if lucky, a link to the kiln site where the sherd was made.
The sherd also has links to any analysis carried out upon it such as TL dating, RHX dating, thin sectioning, absorbed residue etc, etc.
And while the research travels this virtual world they store, review and collate information into a file to be taken away to form the core of their own work................
A dream? Maybe, but its the only way I can see of storing and making use of the vast data potential that is the past.