Abstract: The Use of Social Media to Promote the HMS Colossus Excavation 2012

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Maritime Archaeology Society was formed in 2004 in order to promote maritime archaeology in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The society currently has over 100 members, about 75% of which are divers. It is a non-profit body which utilises amateur divers, working alongside professional archaeologists.
From 20 May to 8 June 2012 the CISMAS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Cismas.org.uk) was used to promote the English Heritage funded excavation on the site of HMS Colossus. This involved not only placing content on the Facebook page for all users to view, but also actively promoting it using both Facebook and Twitter.

Although we had no set expectations about what sort of coverage we could generate through the Facebook page, it rapidly became clear during the excavation that there is a large and actively interested readership online for these types of projects. The challenge is to get the message out to potential readers. Using Facebook to host the excavation pages and Twitter to gather new readership was a strategy which seemed to work. The conference paper will outline our approach to the use of online media and share the results achieved.

Innes McCartney
Postgraduate Researcher
School of Applied Sciences, Bournemouth University
CISMAS member since 2005

Abstract: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Archaeological Apps as Interpretation Tools

A Case Study Concerning the Streetmuseum Londinium App

While museums have been utilizing user-owned smartphones as interpretation devices for several years, archaeological sites are just starting to utilize smartphones in a similar manner. Though the audience for such interpretation is growing along with smartphone ownership, developing apps and mobile websites can be a costly endeavour; thus, it is important for current attempts at smartphone interpretation to undergo summative evaluations so that those responsible for site interpretation can make informed decisions.

The Streetmuseum Londinium App is one of the first archaeological apps designed as an “in situ” archaeological interpretation tool. As it gives the user considerable control and utilizes multiple forms of media and augmented reality, it is an excellent case study for evaluating the initial interpretative capabilities of smartphones. Using an evaluative approach that includes an online survey, in-depth interviews with recruited participants, and audience research done at the Museum, I am currently investigating both subject specific and affective knowledge outcomes that can result from using the App. While my research is still in its early stages and my methodology has significant limitations due to lack of time and funding, it suggests that smartphone interpretation may have a unique ability to help users construct experiential and spatial understandings of places.

Elizabeth Wells-Thulin
MA Candidate in Cultural Heritage Studies
UCL Institute of Archaeology

Abstract: From Khipu Knots to Instant Tweets

Transition to the New Media Platforms in Archaeology

Just as 15th century Andean culture underwent a dramatic shift when forced to switch from khipu binary coding system to alphabetical writing, the field of archaeology is currently experiencing the introduction of a new medium of knowledge storage and distribution: electronic publishing. Among the archaeological and anthropological community, a heated debate over open access raises questions about how internet tools should affect publishing options, procedures, and requirements. The article explores the dilemma of sharing the archaeological data with general public and the influence of such sharing of information on the restricted-access academic publishing. The paper conducts a case study of Khipu Database Project, the database which contains the information that was previously reserved to a limited number of museums and scholars.

The research discusses the results of this unprecedented sharing of knowledge that has been active for the past 7 years and has been repetitively supported and funded by National Science Foundation. Additionally, the paper discusses how new media such as Twitter and Facebook facilitate communication between archaeologists, educate the general public about scientific research, and attract non-academic audiences to participate in dialogue around the discipline of archaeology. The popularization and accessibility of archaeological research creates a scientific dilemma over how to maintain quality of published material and simultaneously engage the public in archaeology. Just like the khipu keepers of the 15th century, archaeologists today are faced with the challenge of adapting to the new channels of communication without compromising the precision of their record-keeping.

Anastasiya Travina
Texas State University-San Marcos

Abstract: Integrating Technology into the Trench

The Virtual Environments for Research in Archaeology Project at Roman Silchester

Increasingly more work is being done to integrate information technology into archaeological systems. In this paper we will explore how change management may be applied when implementing a digital recording system for an archaeological dig, focussing on the work done at Roman Silchester as part of the Virtual Environments for Research in Archaeology project (http://vera.rdg.ac.uk/).  How can such virtual environments change how scholars and the general public can engage with archaeological evidence – and what can we do to ensure their successful design, uptake, and implementation?

This paper will reflect on the work that was carried out in Roman Silchester between 2007 and 2010, to integrate digital technology into the trench to increase the speed in which finds could be entered into the project database, and shared between interested parties. The aims, successes, and issues raised in the project will be presented, as well as the implications this type of technology can have for the archaeological process.

Melissa Terras
Co-Director
UCL Centre for Digital Humanities

Abstract: The Next Generation of Archaeology Public Engagement

When a Website, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, etc. No Longer Performs
 
The 1990s saw the rise of the internet which was followed by every project, academic department and company having its own webpage. This was followed by the Facebook crazy when everyone had a Facebook page for their project, academic department or company. The Facebook craze came on the heels of the explosion of blogs. Then it was Twitter and everyone must be tweeting what they are doing. Now it is Pininterest, Tumblr, etc. Archaeologists are now faced with a wide range of digital tools to choose from but with so many choices most are at a loss as to which one is the best. This paper investigates which digital tool is the right tool for public engagement. More importantly it looks at what criteria one should evaluate when making a decision about which tools to use, an aspect that is usually overlooked.  

 
Doug Rocks-Mcqueen
University of Edinburgh

Abstract: Not All Archaeology is Equal

Barriers to Participation in Archaeology Online

Within Public Archaeology in the UK, there has been a critical cultural shift towards awareness of the benefit of public engagement through the Internet. Recent developments have seen these media used for contributions of publicly-provided archaeological content; to foster online community identity, situated around the topic of archaeology and wider heritage issues; to crowd-source knowledge, and elicit financial support. Although the democratisation of online communication and production have stretched the boundaries of belonging through the use of participatory media, the Internet remains an exclusive enclave for those that can use it.

Critical observation of the extent and use of these technologies in the archaeological sector has been lacking. Issues of access to broadband, equipment and ICT skills exist; organisational commitment to online communications are patchy; policy, strategy and evaluation of participatory technologies in archaeology need careful consideration – inequalities propagated by the use of Internet technologies are nuanced and easily overlooked. Based on the results of my PhD research, this paper will examine the existing barriers to the use of the Internet in Public Archaeology. It will discuss how and why archaeology online is affected by the transference of advantage from respected institutions and elites in ‘real-life’, and discuss how issues of the digital divide, “socio-technical capital”, and archaeological authority impact access and production in ‘Public’ Archaeology online.

Lorna Richardson
PhD Candidate
UCL Centre for Digital Humanities

Abstract: An Emerging Research Framework for Studying Public Engagement with Digital Archaeology Resources

As a young field, Public Engagement with Archaeology (PEA) – both digital and physical – has largely been practised by subject matter specialists and guided by practice informed by personal experience and observation of what “does and does not work” with its publics. Research (basic or applied) remains underdeveloped and very sketchy.

This paper aims to justify the need for collecting and using research evidence to better understand and improve practice in the PEA field and to guide future research efforts. It will first discuss what meaningful engagement with digital archaeology resources may look like and, based on evidence from various other disciplines, it will then propose a framework for understanding and researching PEA, with an emphasis on the digital domain. The framework consists of two main areas that PEA touches on: the interface between institutional agendas (i.e. how digital resources are developed and what their affordances are) and the agendas of individuals or groups of users (i.e. how people use and make sense of these recourses). Key elements of the framework include that research needs:

To be collaborative, cross-disciplinary, theory-driven and culturally responsive. It should be a co-learning experience, in true Public Engagement fashion.

To be widely shared with researchers, developers and practitioners in different formats and platforms in order to help the field move forward

To be an iterative process where the emphasis is on developing digital resources that are “for somebody” rather than “about something”. Research needs to be based on an understanding of different groups of users and how PEA fits in the ecology of the resources and organisations users have access to.

Theano Moussouri
Lecturer, UCL Institute of Archaeology

Abstract: The Archaeology of Digital Abandonment

After fifteen years of hosting millions of user-built webpages, in April 2009 Yahoo announced that they would be shutting down their United States Geocities webpages. Geocities was once the most common hosting service for low-cost personal webpages, including hundreds of public outreach sites about archaeology. Were the webpages moved to another hosting site, archived, or abandoned? We tracked and recorded the fate of 89 of these webpages, eventually sending a survey to the webmasters asking them a range of questions. While we received relatively few responses, the answers to our questions were illuminating. Much of the current digital outreach performed all over the world relies on “free” services such as Twitter, Flickr, WordPress, Google Pages, or Facebook to host their content. What can the fate of archaeological content on Geocities pages tell us about the benefits and risks of using commercial infrastructure for archaeological outreach? In a conference dedicated to understanding digital public engagement, we sort through the digital wreckage of past outreach efforts to evaluate the fate of online archaeological presence.

Matt Law
PhD Candidate
Cardiff University

Colleen Morgan
PhD Candidate
University of California, Berkeley

Abstract: Let’s Get Digital, Digital!

Adopt-a-Monument and Digital Engagement

Adopt-a-Monument is a five year scheme which encourages communities to take a lead role in conserving and promoting their local heritage. We help with a variety of tasks and activities, which includes project planning and fundraising, site survey and recording, as well as guidance on interpretation and dissemination of results. As part of the new phase of Adopt-a-Monument (2011-2016), we have been keen to promote the use of new digital technologies, such as onsite digital interpretation and utilisation of existing online resources, as well as provide training opportunities in digital recording practices. We see digital engagement not only as a useful way for participants to develop key transferable skills, but also as a great way to engage with new audiences. This paper aims to present examples of our projects which utilise digital technology, and discuss the successes and pitfalls of our digital engagement so far.

Cara Jones
Adopt-a-Monument Project Officer
Archaeology Scotland

Abstract: Impact of the Archaeology Data Service (ADS)

A Study and Methods for Enhancing Sustainability

The paper will discuss the progress of an ongoing ADS project which is engaged in analysing perceptions of the value of the ADS to the whole archaeological sector including the economic value of its resources and its economic value to depositors as a repository service. As part of this work, we are assessing and quantify the economic impact of collections with the ultimate objective of improving their prospects for sustainability. We are exploring a range of methods including stakeholder survey and usage analysis investigating data from 1996-2012. This analysis covers both the growth of collections and users at ADS and how return on investment grows with the volume of the collection and its longevity.
Although a number of studies have looked at methods of determining cost benefit and broad indicators of value, there remain significant challenges in establishing baseline data for measuring this in any quantitative way and there are still only a relatively small number of socio-economic studies focussing specifically on the impact of data services or research data infrastructure. Funded by JISC the project is a collaboration between the ADS, Neil Beagrie of Charles Beagrie Ltd. and Professor John Houghton of the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies (CSES) at Victoria University in Australia.

Catherine Hardman
Deputy Director (Collections)
Archaeology Data Service