Virtual Environments for Research in Archaeology

JISC VRE II funded project

Aims to produce a fully-fledged virtual research environment for the archaeological community

http://vera.rdg.ac.uk/

VERAis a Collaborative Project

Computer ScienceSchool of Systems Engineering,

University of Reading

ArchaeologyDepartment of Archaeology,

University of ReadingThe York Archaeological Trust

User RequirementsSchool of Library, Archive and

Information Studies,University College London

User Requirements

”Publication after publication reaches the same conclusion: that technology is important but insufficient on its own for the success of ICT-enabled projects. Again and again technology projects fall down not because the hardware is unstable, but because different systems’ architectures have been poorly scoped and designed. Without good change management and careful thought given to the people using the systems as well as the technology itself, ICT-enabled projects are unlikely to be successful…”

Jones, A. and Williams, L. 2005How ICT? : managing at the frontline

London: Work Foundation

The Silchester Dig - the testbed for VERA

Research & training excavation

Now in its 12th season

Dig operates at a vast scale (55x55m trench)

The Silchester Dig

Focuses on one part of the large Roman town at Silchester

Aims to trace the site's development from its origins before the Roman Conquest to its abandonment in the fifth century A.D.

The Silchester Dig - the testbed for VERA

Utilises the skills of a wide range of outside experts

Numerous student diggers and supervisors

Finds specialists record artefacts on paper

Also using Integrated Archaeology Database (IADB)

The Site Crew

6998 contexts

29175 finds

5048 photos

The Paper Archive

Trialling Technology on Site

Can the use of digital

technology speed up

data entry into IADB?

2007 Season WiFi Nokia N800 Internet Tablet Logitech io2 Digital Pens Digital cameras

Lessons learned

Provide separate training in use of ICTsPay attention to established practices and workflows

Finds team Supervision of students

Benefits of good data entry need to be evidentDon't be absolute about technologies

Listen to the users! What they want to use might not be what you like