Archaeology in Real-time:  The Use of Social Media as Part of the Excavation of Anderson’s Blacksmith Shop and Public Armoury

Summary

Web 2.0 technologies can provide the public a "behind-the-scenes" look at archaeological excavations, thereby engaging them as the research is happening, not merely after the fact.  Since 2010, archaeological research has been ongoing at Anderson’s Blacksmith Shop and Public Armoury in Williamsburg as part of a project to reconstruct the site.  The archaeological investigations have been featured regularly on both a webcam and reconstruction blog.  The "roving" webcam, which is moved to highlight different project activities, has been focused on the archaeological work multiple times, offering a real-time glimpse into the excavation process. Periodic blog postings, on the research goals and what has been found, have been instrumental in demonstrating how archaeological evidence has been critical both to interpretation and reconstruction.  Readers also post questions in response to what they see, setting up a surprisingly effective two-way dialogue between the team and the public about the archaeological process. 

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Digital Heritage and Archaeology: Applications of Web-based Technology for Community Engagement   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2013

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 343