Digitizing, Automation, and Archaeology: Creating Efficient Workflows

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The work of Cultural Resource Management (CRM) requires methodical data collection, transcription, and dissemination of cultural resources. For much of the history of CRM, data collection methods have been purely analog, using paper forms and drawing maps resulting in an abundance of data that must be transcribed and digitized, taking extra time, money and allowing the introduction of errors. Applied EarthWorks has begun digitizing all aspects of fieldwork data recordation by utilizing a suite of products including tablets, GNSS receivers, ESRI applications, and automation software. Data are collected in the field using Survey123 or Field Maps, and the resulting data are tabulated in spreadsheets, filed on the server, emailed using Make automation software, and displayed for project managers using Dashboards. Database management no longer requires paper documentation and there is no need to transcribe data, creating an efficient process that reduces errors. Additionally, data collection using cloud storage and automation software allows for the use and dissemination of data in real time across the organization. The streamlined delivery of data has resulted in budget savings by reducing transcription errors, flexible formatting to suit the needs of our clients and reports and visualizing field data collection through dashboards for project management.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 36563.0