http://www.sha.org/blog/index.php/2012/05/primary-archaeology-data-for-non-archaeologists/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=primary-archaeology-data-for-non-archaeologists Society for Historical Archaeology Fri, 13 Sep 2013 15:12:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 http://www.sha.org/blog/index.php/2012/05/primary-archaeology-data-for-non-archaeologists/#comment-107 Mark Freeman Wed, 30 May 2012 21:23:00 +0000 http://www.sha.org/blog/?p=1617#comment-107  The soft underbelly was a nod to the myriad of problems in looking at comparative databases - different methodologies of site excavation, recovery, conservation - and, as noted in the digital antiquities blog, issues with language and ontologies and what is recorded. Perhaps if the public asks these questions archaeologists might be forced into some standardization (a defined minimum cataloging standard might be a start), but I think the de facto standards of sites like DAACS are a more likely way forward. I don't know of examples of interactive databases in publications but I'm looking out for them!  The soft underbelly was a nod to the myriad of problems in looking at comparative databases – different methodologies of site excavation, recovery, conservation – and, as noted in the digital antiquities blog, issues with language and ontologies and what is recorded. Perhaps if the public asks these questions archaeologists might be forced into some standardization (a defined minimum cataloging standard might be a start), but I think the de facto standards of sites like DAACS are a more likely way forward.
I don’t know of examples of interactive databases in publications but I’m looking out for them!

]]> http://www.sha.org/blog/index.php/2012/05/primary-archaeology-data-for-non-archaeologists/#comment-106 Jonathan Libbon Wed, 30 May 2012 12:26:00 +0000 http://www.sha.org/blog/?p=1617#comment-106 Excellent post Mark! I have spent some time checking out museum.nps.gov and I like the way you combine visible, easily digestible information (and pictures!), with archaeological data. I’m not sure I understand the comment about “the soft underbelly of archaeological data” I think getting the public (even if it is a small minority) to ask those questions could only be beneficial. In an age where the image of archaeology is becoming Ric Savage, I think engaging the public is more important than ever. I really like where you see the field going. Transitioning databases from publication to research is very fascinating. Do you know of anyone who is doing this (or attempting to?) Excellent post Mark! I have spent some time
checking out museum.nps.gov and I like the way you combine visible, easily digestible
information (and pictures!), with archaeological data. I’m not sure I understand
the comment about “the soft underbelly of archaeological data” I think getting
the public (even if it is a small minority) to ask those questions could only
be beneficial. In an age where the image of archaeology is becoming Ric Savage,
I think engaging the public is more important than ever. I really like
where you see the field going. Transitioning databases from publication to research
is very fascinating. Do you know of anyone who is doing this (or attempting
to?)

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