Reaching the Point of No Return: The Computational Revolution in Archaeology

Leore Grosman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Archaeologists generally agree that high-power computer technology constitutes the most efficient venue for addressing many issues in archaeological research. Digital techniques have become indispensable components of archaeological surveys, fieldwork, lab work, and communication between researchers. One of the greatest advantages of the digital approach is its ability to examine large assemblages of items using advanced statistical methods. Digital documentation has reached the point of no return in archaeological research, and reverting to traditional methods is highly improbable. However, digital data may also contain additional information that has yet to be extracted by computer analysis. In this arena, new computer algorithms can be triggered by research questions that cannot be addressed without digital models.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-145
Number of pages17
JournalAnnual Review of Anthropology
Volume45
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Oct 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2016 by Annual Reviews. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • 3D analysis
  • Cyber archaeology
  • Digital archaeology
  • Documentation
  • Quantitative methods
  • Virtual archaeology
  • Visualization

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