Digital Archaeological Heritage

Over the past few decades, digital technologies have changed our world fromhow we communicate to how we conduct research to even how we understand what is true. During this time, and not coincidentally, heritage and heritage sites have become increasingly important for nations, cultures, and social groups struggling for stability, recognition, and power. Archaeology has long been a discipline engaged with both uncovering truths about the past and discovering archaeological heritage—sites and materials of significant cultural, political, and historical value—but archaeology too has been changed by the digital. In this seminar we will explore how digital technologies have transformed archaeological practice, interpretation, and heritage management as well as the impact that digital archaeological heritage has had across varying communities in the “real” world. Topics will include how archaeologists have used digital technologies to diversify and amplify recording techniques during fieldwork, to create virtual simulations to aid in site interpretation, and to translate unique material discoveries into virtual or 3D printable and shareable forms to communicate findings to broader audiences. We will also discuss how the digital has induced an explosion of data enabling unprecedented comparison across sites that helps to answer long-standing questions but also raises new ones. Central to the course will be the ethical issues raised by the digital, including how communities have challenged what constitutes authentic heritage and who should legitimately own it. Our case studies will derive from both hemispheres, from the deep to the recent past, and from research contexts to publicfacing heritage institutions. Special focus will be on the Seneca Village site. Class meetings will be seminar-style with short lectures, workshops, and discussion of assigned readings. Students will be assessed on the basis of their class participation, a research project completed in steps (digital projects are encouraged), and an oral presentation. There are no course prerequisites, and newcomers to archaeology are welcome. 3 Credits. Satisfies the pre-1800 requirement.