16th November 2006, 01:18 AM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by getatrowel
Technology can do so much to improve matters. Paper can be reduced by the use of digital files. In terms of archaeology, what tools could be used for recording to reduce the need for as much paper in the field? Forget expense for now, take a blue sky approach!
I am told that the Swedish state archaeological service is moving towards a paper/film free archaeological recording system using something like ArchGIS or Penmap. The recent GPS tie-up between the OS and Leica covering 100% of the UK to milimetre accuracy could allow similar systems to be developed in the UK.
My problem with such plans is not the cost or range of the technology (I have been using the Leica 1200 single-handed surveying system and ArchGIS in Norway for most of the past year), but the assumption that the costs can be offset by savings on staff costs, in other words the redundancy of significant numbers of archaeologists.
I don't think we can be confident in the assumption that 'they will always need archaeologists to dig holes', as more and more I seem to be seeing a reduction in 'manual' hole digging and recording and its replacement with other methods of archaeological prospection and survey. God forbid the day when the number of active field archaeologists can be counted on the arthritic fingers of two mitten clad hands!! (And for that reason alone I would be willing to allow 'archaeology' a degree of grace when it is called to account for its carbon footprint)