Archaeology in a Digital Age

In the last few decades, advances in geography, geology, photography, medical sciences, and space exploration have been adapted to uncovering the past. The new data that has resulted from these endeavors can be organized and disseminated in online databases, providing access to information in an unprecedented manner. New imaging techniques, 3D scanning and printing, and virtual reality systems have allowed objects and sites to be preserved in new ways, and enable a much broader audience to interact with ancient civilizations. While most of these new tools have brought positive changes to the field, archaeologists still must question their reasons for adopting certain methods. Are the flashy 3D imaging techniques truly helping us answer research questions? Are complicated technical computing methods always necessary to organize data? In this class, students are encouraged to think critically about the design of archaeological projects and the integration of digital tools as we collaboratively design and publish our own digital projects.

Last taught: Spring 2019 at Claremont McKenna College

Resources: Syllabus | Schedule

Special thanks to Eric Poehler for sharing materials that helped me develop Archaeology in a Digital Age.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me for access to additional resources pertaining to this course.