6th May 2010, 10:17 AM
I absolutely agree with your last comments David.
My fear is that the technology represented by GPS starts to become the end result rather than GPS being used as a tool. I personally think that the traditional archaeological methodology in the absence of fixed survey points of starting from the smallest and working up i.e first link your feature/find to a grid, then link your grid to a site boundary, then link your boundaries to local topography, then link your topography to the National Grid is still the most efficient and accurate practice. More importantly it was one that everyone could understand and work with.
I fear that technology could create a class of archaeology techno-geeks who are happy to hide behind their machines and 'pretend' there is something more complicated to what they do than there actually is. Or even worse imagine that technology can replace time tested methods. It can't. It can only help competent archaeologists use their time and resources more efficently....and I know. I am one of those geeks (but one who still has time and respect for the 'old' ways ....a 'techno-druid' maybe....!!) ... and also I have just heard today, one who is about to forego my trusty Leica for a crash course in Trimble technology....I'm scared!!
My fear is that the technology represented by GPS starts to become the end result rather than GPS being used as a tool. I personally think that the traditional archaeological methodology in the absence of fixed survey points of starting from the smallest and working up i.e first link your feature/find to a grid, then link your grid to a site boundary, then link your boundaries to local topography, then link your topography to the National Grid is still the most efficient and accurate practice. More importantly it was one that everyone could understand and work with.
I fear that technology could create a class of archaeology techno-geeks who are happy to hide behind their machines and 'pretend' there is something more complicated to what they do than there actually is. Or even worse imagine that technology can replace time tested methods. It can't. It can only help competent archaeologists use their time and resources more efficently....and I know. I am one of those geeks (but one who still has time and respect for the 'old' ways ....a 'techno-druid' maybe....!!) ... and also I have just heard today, one who is about to forego my trusty Leica for a crash course in Trimble technology....I'm scared!!
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...