Guerrilla Foursquare: The appropriation of commercial location-based social networking for archaeological engagement and education

Summary

One aspect of the emerging field of digital archaeology involves the use of digital geo-technologies to create and disseminate location-based archaeological information to both academic and non-academic audiences. Although archaeological projects often lack the resources or expertise necessary to create tailor-made applications, existing services fulfilling a similar purpose can often be repurposed for archaeological projects.

A specific case-study using the foursquare service will help shed some light on the potential for (mis)use of existing services. Users of foursquare 'check-in' at various locations on mobile devices to access recommendations, locate friends, or gain digital control of venues. Through the inundation of the foursquare service with information from local Historic Environment Records, archaeologists can create a palimpsest of past urban landscapes. Foursquare users can explore these landscapes as well as contribute additional layers of narrative, or 'tips', ultimately creating a digital application evolving beyond the scope of purely archaeological involvement.

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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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 452