Reflections on 30 Years of Digital Archaeology: Where Do We Go from Here?

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Transformations in Professional Archaeology" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Over the past three decades, archaeology has experienced a paradigm shift with the integration of digital recording and publishing methodologies. This “paper” critically examines whether, in our pursuit of technological advancements, we have remained true to the core principles of archaeological ethics. Are we on the brink of a digital dark age, or are we already in one? Through conversations with eminent scholars from the archaeological community, tech industry experts, and representatives from cultural memory institutions, we unravel the journey from a digitally focused archaeological approach to a more holistic practice. As we strategize for the upcoming 30 years, the emphasis is placed on the dual objectives of the discipline: ensuring the creation of a durable archaeological record that stands the test of time, while simultaneously harnessing the full potential of modern technology. To assure our practices not only produce records that will benefit future generations but also leverage the capabilities of digital technology, this discussion serves as a clarion call to professional archaeologists, urging us to reflect, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future in archaeology.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)   •
• Transformations in Professional Archaeology

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39157.0