Digital Archaeological Heritage

Over the past few decades, and especially in recent years, digital technologies have profoundly reshaped our world: how we communicate, how we conduct research, and even how we understand truth and reality. During this same period, and not coincidentally, heritage and heritage sites have gained new importance for nations, cultures, and social groups seeking stability, recognition, and power. Archaeology has long been a discipline devoted both to uncovering truths about the past and to identifying and preserving sites and materials of cultural, political, and historical significance. Yet archaeology, too, has been transformed by the digital. This seminar explores how digital technologies have changed archaeological practice, interpretation, and heritage management, and how digital heritage now circulates and exerts impact across diverse communities in the “real” world. Topics include how archaeologists use digital tools to diversify and refine recording techniques during fieldwork; to create virtual simulations that aid in site interpretation; and to translate unique material discoveries into virtual or 3D-printable and shareable artifacts for communication with broader audiences. We will also consider how the digital has generated an explosion of data that enables unprecedented comparison across sites— addressing long-standing questions while raising new ones. Central to the course will be the ethical issues prompted by digital archaeology, including debates over what constitutes authentic heritage and who holds legitimate ownership. Case studies will range across both hemispheres, from the deep to the recent past, and from research contexts to public-facing heritage institutions. Class meetings will be seminar-style and include short lectures, workshops, and discussions of assigned readings. Assessment will be based on class participation and a research project developed in stages (digital projects are encouraged). There are no prerequisites, and newcomers to archaeology are welcome. 3 credits. Satisfies the chronological requirement.