The Intersection of Technology and Public Archaeology

How can emerging and established technologies (e.g. photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, 3D modeling) be refocused to engage the public? Current interpretive practices emphasize tours, signage, and hands-on activities. Is there space for technology, beyond social media, to augment the conventional place-based visitor experience? For example, can a visitor’s cell phone be used as an on-site tool to provide additional context? Can visitors virtually reconstruct the landscape or material culture as the archaeological process takes place in front of them? Could these technologies and techniques help participants to develop a personal connection to sites, artifacts, and the unwritten stories of the past? This symposium aims to bridge the gap between research and interpretation and to develop a paradigm for public archaeology in the digital age.