Overview Archaeological data literacy is an integral part of the stewardship of the archaeological record. From paper notes, and their digital surrogates, to time and power intensive computer-based modeling and simulations, archaeologists of all kinds require data literacy to do their jobs and preserve the work of previous generations. Yet, archaeological data literacy lacks explicit education in current archaeological training despite the demand for these skills in academic research contexts and in private sector and government mandated archaeology. In this review, we reflect on the places hiring archaeologists expect data literacy skills to be taught and frame this call in terms of a need to incorporate explicit data skills in archaeological education. We also suggest that the cultivation of data literacy skills should be part of the continuing education of archaeologists as the field becomes increasingly data and technology oriented.
Archaeology is in the midst of a technological revolution, particularly for data collection, first championed by light detection and ranging (lidar) in the early 2000s and now with widespread applications of unmanned aerial systems (UAS)-deployed remote sensing. While the importance of remote sensing for data collection and heritage conservation is known, less work has acknowledged the implications of remote sensing for field safety, particularly for disabled researchers. UAS offer a unique opportunity to explore circumstances that may affect mobility in the field and how advances in archaeological science can transform fieldwork by improving accessibility for disabled archaeologists. I argue that UAS can-and should-be improved to promote accessibility in archaeological fieldwork, due to their promotion of field safety, increased planning of daily tasks, and broader applications to community-engaged research. These interventions should be applied to the larger field of archaeology to improve labor management for researchers in all sectors of practice. La arqueolog & iacute;a se encuentra en medio de una revoluci & oacute;n tecnol & oacute;gica, especialmente en el & aacute;mbito de la recolecci & oacute;n de datos, impulsada inicialmente por "light detection and ranging" (lidar) a comienzos de la d & eacute;cada de 2000 y, m & aacute;s recientemente, por las expansi & oacute;n de los sistemas a & eacute;reos no tripulados para la teledetecci & oacute;n. Si bien se reconoce la importancia de la teledetecci & oacute;n para la recopilaci & oacute;n de datos y la conservaci & oacute;n del patrimonio, se ha prestado menor atenci & oacute;n a sus implicaciones para la seguridad en el trabajo de campo, especialmente en el caso de investigadores con discapacidad. Los sistemas a & eacute;reos no tripulados (UAS) ofrecen una oportunidad & uacute;nica para analizar los factores que pueden afectar la movilidad en el campo, as & iacute; como la forma en que los avances en la ciencia arqueol & oacute;gica pueden transformar el trabajo de campo al mejorar la accesibilidad para arque & oacute;logos con discapacidad. Sostengo que los UAS pueden y deben mejorarse para promover la accesibilidad en el trabajo de campo arqueol & oacute;gico, dada su contribuci & oacute;n a la seguridad en campo, a una mejor planificaci & oacute;n adelantada de las tareas diarias y a sus aplicaciones m & aacute;s amplias en la investigaci & oacute;n con participaci & oacute;n comunitaria. Estas intervenciones deber & iacute;an extenderse al conjunto de la pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica con el fin de favorecer la gesti & oacute;n laboral de los investigadores en todos sus & aacute;mbitos.
Archaeological labor in the Andes unfolds not only in field trenches and labs but also in the social and cosmological landscapes where sites remain powerful actors affecting daily community life. Drawing on collaborative fieldwork in the Huaylas and Cosma River Basins of the Cordillera Negra Mountains, Ancash, Peru, this article reflects on how archaeological work is shaped by theoretical framing, traditional field methods, and the relationships between descendant communities and the archaeological sites they live around that influence daily fieldwork. We argue for an expanded definition of archaeological labor that encompasses ceremonial, emotional, and relational work alongside excavation and analysis and share strategies in hiring, organization, and training. These include daily routines that make space for ritual practice, decision-making frameworks that treat local knowledge as actionable, and project planning that honors contractual and cultural obligations. By including these community-framed practices in the methodology, we call for culturally engaged archaeological labor that recognizes how communities, researchers, and sites co-produce knowledge and working conditions, thereby building a safer, more inclusive, and more equitable work environment. El trabajo arqueol & oacute;gico en los Andes se desarrolla no solo en las trincheras de excavaci & oacute;n y los laboratorios, sino tambi & eacute;n en los paisajes sociales y cosmol & oacute;gicos donde los sitios siguen siendo actores poderosos que influyen en la vida cotidiana de las comunidades. A partir de trabajo de campo colaborativo en las cuencas de Huaylas y Cosma, en la Cordillera Negra, & Aacute;ncash, Per & uacute;, este art & iacute;culo reflexiona sobre c & oacute;mo el labor arqueol & oacute;gico est & aacute; moldeado por marcos te & oacute;ricos, m & eacute;todos tradicionales de campo y las relaciones entre las comunidades descendientes y los sitios arqueol & oacute;gicos que habitan, las cuales configuran el trabajo diario en campo. Sostenemos una definici & oacute;n ampliada del trabajo arqueol & oacute;gico que abarque el trabajo ceremonial, emocional y relacional junto con la excavaci & oacute;n y el an & aacute;lisis, compartiendo estrategias en la contrataci & oacute;n, organizaci & oacute;n y capacitaci & oacute;n. Estas incluyen rutinas diarias que abren espacio para la pr & aacute;ctica ritual; marcos de toma de decisiones que consideran el conocimiento local como accionable; y una planificaci & oacute;n de proyectos que respeta las obligaciones contractuales y culturales. Al incorporar estas pr & aacute;cticas definidas por la comunidad en la metodolog & iacute;a, abogamos por una labor arqueol & oacute;gica culturalmente comprometida que reconoce c & oacute;mo las comunidades, los investigadores y los sitios co-producen conocimiento y condiciones de trabajo, construyendo un entorno laboral m & aacute;s seguro, inclusivo y equitativo.
In the practice of archaeological research in Peru, a set of economic, political, and ethical contradictions can be recognized in the relationships between archaeologists, excavation technicians, and other groups. It has been observed that our social relationships in fieldwork and other archaeological practice spaces reproduce the principles of the free market, individual competition, and labor exploitation. However, a medium-term archaeological project, the Chicama Archaeological Program (PRACH), has been established on the northern coast of Peru, confronting those contradictions to transform socioeconomic relationships in the discipline. Over time, crew members and participants in this program have transformed their ways of being, transcending the conventional boundaries of mere workers. Despite the pervasive influence of the laws of the market on our social fabric, a conscious political stance has emerged as a counterforce, aiming to overcome the alienating effects of neoliberalism. Thus, our crew prioritizes cooperation, solidarity, and care over competition, individualism, selfishness, and immediate and utilitarian relationships. A host of challenges must be confronted, but the motivation for this effort lies in adopting an alternative, novel, and conscious approach to the inequalities generated by conventional forms of interpersonal interaction, especially in our archaeological practice. En la pr & aacute;ctica de la investigaci & oacute;n arqueol & oacute;gica en el Per & uacute; se pueden reconocer una serie de contradicciones econ & oacute;micas, pol & iacute;ticas y & eacute;ticas en las relaciones entre arque & oacute;logos, t & eacute;cnicos de excavaci & oacute;n y otros colectivos. Se ha observado que nuestras relaciones sociales en los diferentes espacios de pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica reproducen los principios del libre mercado, la competencia individual y la explotaci & oacute;n laboral. Sin embargo, un proyecto arqueol & oacute;gico a mediano plazo, el Programa Arqueol & oacute;gico Chicama (PRACH), establecido en la costa norte de Per & uacute;, est & aacute; llevando a cabo la confrontaci & oacute;n y transformaci & oacute;n de tales relaciones. Con el paso del tiempo, los miembros del equipo y los participantes de este programa han transformado sus maneras de ser y estar, trascendiendo los l & iacute;mites convencionales de simples trabajadores. A pesar de la influencia omnipresente de las leyes del mercado en nuestro tejido social, ha surgido una postura pol & iacute;tica consciente como fuerza contraria, con el objetivo de superar los efectos alienantes del neoliberalismo. As & iacute;, nuestro equipo prioriza la cooperaci & oacute;n, la solidaridad y el cuidado en vez de la competencia, el individualismo, el ego & iacute;smo y las relaciones inmediatas y utilitarias. Una gran cantidad de retos deben ser confrontados, pero la motivaci & oacute;n de este esfuerzo radica en adoptar un enfoque alternativo, novedoso y consciente de las inequidades que generan las formas convencionales de interacci & oacute;n interpersonal, especialmente en nuestra pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica.
In 2021, the cultural heritage nonprofit organization Archaeology Southwest received a Human Networks and Data Science grant from the US National Science Foundation to update its long-running archaeological research database, cyberSW. Central to this process was the creation of a Tribal Working Group (TWG) to advise the cyberSW team on how to make the database more relevant/useful to Native American communities in the region. Over the next three years, the TWG collaboration led to new approaches to database management and the hiring of a Native American fellow, as well as an expansion of the project to engage with traditional knowledge about plants and animals. This article recounts the history of the cyberSW 2.0 database project and TWG's role within this process, with the goal of sharing lessons learned for others interested in developing similar collaborative programs with Native American communities. En 2021, la organizaci & oacute;n sin fines de lucro Archaeology Southwest, dedicada al patrimonio cultural, recibi & oacute; financiamiento de la Human Networks and Data Science, a trav & eacute;s de la National Science Foundation de Estados Unidos, con el fin de actualizar la base de datos cyberSW, relacionada a la investigaci & oacute;n arqueol & oacute;gica. Un elemento central de este proceso fue la creaci & oacute;n de un "grupo de trabajo tribal" (TWG) que pudiera asesorar al equipo de cyberSW sobre c & oacute;mo hacer que la base de datos fuera m & aacute;s relevante y & uacute;til para las comunidades nativas americanas de la regi & oacute;n. Durante los tres a & ntilde;os siguientes, la colaboraci & oacute;n del TWG dio lugar a nuevos enfoques para la gesti & oacute;n de la base de datos y a la contrataci & oacute;n de un colaborador nativo americano, as & iacute; como a la ampliaci & oacute;n del proyecto para incluir conocimientos tradicionales sobre plantas y animales. Este art & iacute;culo relata la historia del proyecto de la base de datos cyberSW 2.0 y el papel del TWG en el proceso, con el objetivo de compartir las lecciones aprendidas con m & aacute;s personas interesadas en desarrollar programas de colaboraci & oacute;n similares con comunidades nativas americanas.
Cultural resource management (CRM) in the United States is an industry that thrives (or falters) on tight budgets and short deadlines. To steadily secure a reliable stream of projects from major clients (and to support the limited budgets of smaller clients), CRM firms are often forced to work with bare-bones funding, requiring them to demand a great deal of effort from their field and office personnel to stay within budget and on schedule. When the projects themselves can easily become the main focus, above the needs of the staff, an unhealthy working environment, lack of work-life balance, burnout, and resentment toward management can result. In this article, I reflect on my own leadership experiences and present a model that outlines best practices for CRM leadership professionals to follow to grow and maintain their businesses through the genuine and consistent support of staff members. I recommend three basic components to creating a healthy working environment in CRM: (1) policies and procedures that clearly outline staff safety, approaches to work-life balance, and field and lab protocols; (2) a "practice what you preach" approach to leadership; and (3) access to professional development opportunities for all staff, regardless of their job level or experience. La gesti & oacute;n de recursos culturales (CRM) en Estados Unidos es una industria que prospera (o fracasa) con presupuestos ajustados y plazos ajustados. Para asegurar un flujo constante de proyectos de grandes clientes (y para cubrir los presupuestos limitados de los clientes m & aacute;s peque & ntilde;os), las empresas de CRM a menudo se ven obligadas a trabajar con fondos m & iacute;nimos, lo que les exige un gran esfuerzo de su personal de campo y de oficina para cumplir con el presupuesto y los plazos. Este tipo de organizaci & oacute;n, donde los proyectos se priorizan sobre el personal, puede generar un ambiente laboral insalubre, falta de equilibrio entre la vida laboral y personal, agotamiento y resentimiento hacia la alta direcci & oacute;n. En este documento, presento un modelo que describe las mejores pr & aacute;cticas que los profesionales de liderazgo de CRM pueden seguir para desarrollar y mantener sus negocios mediante un apoyo genuino y constante al personal. En concreto, recomiendo tres componentes b & aacute;sicos para crear un ambiente de trabajo saludable en CRM: (1) pol & iacute;ticas y procedimientos que definan claramente la seguridad del personal, estrategias para la conciliaci & oacute;n de la vida laboral y personal, y protocolos de campo y laboratorio; (2) un enfoque de liderazgo basado en el ejemplo; y (3) acceso a oportunidades de desarrollo profesional para todo el personal, independientemente de su nivel o experiencia.
Since the first attempts to organize as a collective in the mid-1980s, with the surge of the new management models in a democratic and decentralized Spain, both archaeology and labor have changed considerably. Although many old battles to recognize the profession are still alive, other initiatives have strengthened the archaeological ecosystem in the country. On the horizon, addressing the structural challenges of work precarity in archaeology. Temporary contracts, low salaries, lack of legal, and administrative recognition, and deficiencies in basic rights (for example, in health and safety) are some of the problems we have been facing for decades, and now we are closer to counteracting them. This paper will review (1) the recent history of Spanish archaeology and the formation of the current archaeological ecosystem; (2) collective action to improve working conditions in Spanish archaeology over the last decades; (3) the latest actions from the Spanish Platform of Professional Archaeologists (PEPA) to overcome hindrance; and (4) the dream of a common front in Europe (and beyond) to achieve the profession we want to have. Although sometimes this struggle is frustrating, a retrospective view of the events and the achievements gained over the years brings hope for the future and some significant steps forward. Desde los primeros intentos de organizaci & oacute;n colectiva a mediados de los a & ntilde;os 80, con la aparici & oacute;n de nuevos modelos de gesti & oacute;n en una Espa & ntilde;a democr & aacute;tica y descentralizada, tanto la arqueolog & iacute;a como el contexto laboral han cambiado considerablemente. Si bien muchas antiguas batallas por el reconocimiento de la profesi & oacute;n siguen vivas, otras iniciativas han fortalecido el ecosistema arqueol & oacute;gico en Espa & ntilde;a. En el objetivo, afrontar los retos estructurales de la precariedad laboral en arqueolog & iacute;a. Temporalidad, sueldos bajos, falta de reconocimiento legal y administrativo o deficiencias en los derechos b & aacute;sicos como trabajadores (por ejemplo, en seguridad y salud), son algunos de los problemas que llevamos d & eacute;cadas enfrentando y ahora estamos m & aacute;s cerca de contrarrestar. Este art & iacute;culo revisar & aacute; (1) la historia reciente de la arqueolog & iacute;a espa & ntilde;ola y la formaci & oacute;n del ecosistema arqueol & oacute;gico actual; (2) la acci & oacute;n colectiva para mejorar las condiciones laborales en la arqueolog & iacute;a espa & ntilde;ola durante las & uacute;ltimas d & eacute;cadas; (3) las & uacute;ltimas acciones de la Plataforma Espa & ntilde;ola de Profesionales de la Arqueolog & iacute;a (PEPA) para superar estos obst & aacute;culos; y (4) el sue & ntilde;o de un frente com & uacute;n en Europa (y m & aacute;s all & aacute;) para lograr la profesi & oacute;n que deseamos. Si bien a veces esta lucha es frustrante, una mirada retrospectiva a los acontecimientos y los logros alcanzados a lo largo de los a & ntilde;os brinda esperanza para el futuro y algunos avances significativos.
This article addresses the historical and ongoing exclusion of descendant and local communities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), from digital archaeological archives. We contend that current digitization practices often perpetuate colonial-era biases through limited, monolingual metadata that fail to reflect or engage with local histories and knowledge systems. Noting the insufficiency of current FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics) data frameworks for this specific context, we propose a shift toward reparative, co-stewardship models. Drawing on practice-led pilot projects within digital archaeological archives using Linked Open Data (LOD) and community-facilitated annotation, this article demonstrates practical pathways for integrating diverse, multilingual perspectives to enrich archive metadata. In so doing, it demonstrates how digital interventions have the potential to destabilize power dynamics and work toward reparative practice. Ultimately, we advocate for conscious professional collaboration and institutional reform to transform archives from static repositories into dynamic spaces of equitable engagement, actively combating digital colonialism.
This article focuses on outlining formalized Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) training efforts at the undergraduate level. Since 2022, the Center for Archaeology and Society Repository (CASR) at Arizona State University has offered a four-semester NAGPRA learning track designed to prepare students for careers in NAGPRA. Recognizing the shortage of trained practitioners entering the field and the limited incorporation of NAGPRA education in anthropology curricula, the learning track integrates classroom learning, intensive mentorship, and hands-on experience with active repatriation work. Each semester builds progressively from a foundation of collections care and NAGPRA principles, to advanced repatriation tasks, then project management, and finally implementing repatriation in a setting outside of CASR. The program emphasizes a respectful approach to skills competency within a supportive environment that interweaves student needs with repatriation goals. Lessons learned highlight the need for planning, dedicated supervision, and a repatriation process tailored to student integration to ensure meaningful student learning, professional readiness, and NAGPRA project advancement. The CASR NAGPRA learning track serves as a model for other institutions seeking to implement a NAGPRA educational program. The combination of experiential learning, direct participation in compliance processes, and discussion topics prepares students for a career in repatriation and fields beyond. Este art & iacute;culo se centra en describir los esfuerzos formalizados de formaci & oacute;n de NAGPRA (Ley de Protecci & oacute;n y Repatriaci & oacute;n de Tumbas de Nativos Americanos, por sus siglas en ingl & eacute;s) a nivel de grado. Desde 2022, el Centro de Arqueolog & iacute;a y Repositorio Societario (CASR) de la Universidad Estatal de Arizona ofrece una v & iacute;a de aprendizaje NAGPRA de cuatro semestres dise & ntilde;ada para preparar a los estudiantes para carreras en NAGPRA. Reconociendo la escasez de profesionales formados que ingresan en el campo y la incorporaci & oacute;n limitada de la educaci & oacute;n NAGPRA en los planes de estudio de antropolog & iacute;a, la v & iacute;a de aprendizaje integra el aprendizaje en el aula, mentor & iacute;a intensiva y experiencia pr & aacute;ctica con trabajo activo de repatriaci & oacute;n. Cada semestre se desarrolla progresivamente desde un fundamento basado en el cuidado de las colecciones y los principios de NAGPRA, hasta tareas avanzadas de repatriaci & oacute;n, luego gesti & oacute;n de proyectos y, finalmente, la implementaci & oacute;n de la repatriaci & oacute;n en un entorno fuera de CASR. El programa enfatiza un enfoque respetuoso de la competencia en habilidades dentro de un entorno de apoyo que entrelaza las necesidades de los estudiantes con los objetivos de repatriaci & oacute;n. Las lecciones aprendidas ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de planificaci & oacute;n, supervisi & oacute;n dedicada y un proceso de repatriaci & oacute;n adaptado a la integraci & oacute;n estudiantil para garantizar un aprendizaje significativo, preparaci & oacute;n profesional y el avance en los proyectos NAGPRA. La v & iacute;a de aprendizaje NAGPRA de CASR sirve de modelo para otras instituciones que buscan implementar un programa educativo NAGPRA. La combinaci & oacute;n de aprendizaje experiencial, participaci & oacute;n directa en procesos de cumplimiento y temas de discusi & oacute;n prepara a los estudiantes para una carrera en repatriaci & oacute;n y campos m & aacute;s all & aacute;.
Coastal, riverine, and lacustrine environments have played a central role in the development of human societies, yet locating and documenting this record of activity in littoral environments have proven difficult. Terrestrial survey methods reach their limit at the water's edge, whereas marine geophysical equipment often struggles in depths of less than 1 m. This "white ribbon" of missing data represents a persistent methodological gap but one that is rich in information. Recent work on Scottish crannogs, or artificial islands, has highlighted this predicament while also providing a test bed for practical solutions. This article presents the results of that work: a robust and repeatable workflow for high-resolution shallow-water photogrammetry, tested in challenging conditions and benchmarked against the GNSS-enabled accuracy of drone surveys. The approach combines stereophotogrammetry, using artificial scale bars for internal calibration, with ground control points to enable the integration of terrestrial and underwater data. This method is both accessible and efficient, offering a replicable framework for recording archaeological sites at the water's edge. Los entornos costeros, fluviales y lacustres han desempe & ntilde;ado un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de las sociedades humanas, pero localizar y documentar estos registros de actividad en los m & aacute;rgenes litorales sigue siendo un desaf & iacute;o. Los m & eacute;todos de prospecci & oacute;n terrestre alcanzan su l & iacute;mite en la orilla, mientras que los equipos geof & iacute;sicos marinos presentan dificultades en profundidades inferiores a un metro. Esta "franja blanca" de datos ausentes representa una brecha metodol & oacute;gica persistente, pero tambi & eacute;n rica en informaci & oacute;n. Los trabajos recientes sobre los crannogs escoceses, o islas artificiales, han puesto de relieve estas dificultades y, al mismo tiempo, han ofrecido un banco de pruebas para el desarrollo de soluciones pr & aacute;cticas. Este art & iacute;culo presenta los resultados de ese trabajo: un flujo de trabajo s & oacute;lido y reproducible para la fotogrametr & iacute;a de alta resoluci & oacute;n en aguas someras, probado en condiciones exigentes y contrastado con la precisi & oacute;n habilitada por GNSS de levantamientos con drones. El enfoque combina estereofotogrametr & iacute;a, mediante el uso de barras de escala artificiales para la calibraci & oacute;n interna, con puntos de control terrestre para permitir la integraci & oacute;n de datos terrestres y subacu & aacute;ticos. Este m & eacute;todo es accesible y eficiente, y ofrece un marco replicable para el registro de sitios arqueol & oacute;gicos en el l & iacute;mite entre tierra y agua.
Archaeologists have demonstrated the value of deep learning models for detecting archaeological objects in lidar data. As landscape-level projects become the norm, archaeological data derived from deep learning predictions can be integrated into these initiatives through coupled natural-cultural landscapes planning. However, the paucity of archaeological training datasets limits the application of deep learning models to relatively common and well-documented object classes. Using procedurally generated training datasets may be one approach to overcome this bottleneck. To test the efficacy of procedural generation for developing deep learning training data, we trained models to detect a novel object class (hypothesized historic tar kilns) in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. We developed two procedural generation approaches to embed simulated archaeological objects in a lidar-derived DEM and used these datasets to train deep learning (Mask R-CNN) models. We then evaluated model predictions within lidar-derived visualizations and during field survey. Our trained models detected targets with high recall but low precision. Field investigation suggested that the objects were not tar kilns but a different historic feature class. This study suggests that models trained on simulated objects are a useful addition to lidar analysis tool kits and can be directly integrated into archaeological field investigation workflows. La arqueolog & iacute;a ha demostrado el valor de los modelos de aprendizaje profundo ("deep learning" en ingl & eacute;s) para detectar restos arqueol & oacute;gicos en datos lidar. A medida que los proyectos a nivel paisaj & iacute;stico se generalizan en la praxis arqueol & oacute;gica, los datos derivados de las predicciones del aprendizaje profundo pueden integrarse en estas iniciativas mediante la planificaci & oacute;n conjunta de paisajes naturales y culturales. Sin embargo, la escasez de conjuntos de datos de entrenamiento espec & iacute;ficamente arqueol & oacute;gico limita la aplicaci & oacute;n de los modelos de aprendizaje profundo a clases de objetos relativamente comunes y/o bien documentados. El uso de conjuntos de datos de entrenamiento generados procedimentalmente puede ser un enfoque para superar este cuello de botella. Para probar la eficacia de la generaci & oacute;n por procedimientos para desarrollar datos de entrenamiento de aprendizaje profundo, hemos entrenado modelos para detectar una nueva clase de objetos (hipot & eacute;ticos hornos de brea de & eacute;poca hist & oacute;rica) en el Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana. Desarrollamos dos enfoques de generaci & oacute;n procedimental para incrustar objetos arqueol & oacute;gicos simulados en un DEM derivado de lidar y utilizamos estos conjuntos de datos para entrenar modelos de aprendizaje profundo (mask region-based convolutional neural network; Mask R-CNN). A continuaci & oacute;n, evaluamos las predicciones del modelo dentro de las visualizaciones derivadas de lidar y durante el estudio de campo. Nuestros modelos entrenados detectaron objetivos con un alto nivel de recuperaci & oacute;n, pero con baja precisi & oacute;n. La investigaci & oacute;n de campo sugiri & oacute; que los objetos no eran hornos de brea, sino una clase de caracter & iacute;sticas hist & oacute;ricas diferente. Este estudio sugiere que los modelos entrenados con objetos simulados son un complemento & uacute;til a los kits de herramientas de an & aacute;lisis lidar y pueden integrarse directamente en los flujos de trabajo de investigaci & oacute;n arqueol & oacute;gica de campo.
Community-based archaeology does not always arrange itself cleanly into standard frameworks of practice. As archaeologists, our relationships with communities are situated and emergent. It stands to reason that our methods should be as well. Several years ago, as a graduate student at the start of a community-based project, I remember my anxious desire for a roadmap-a prescribed set of methods that would guide my work with and in community. Actual practice, however, demonstrated that roadmaps have little utility on this type of terrain. Community-based archaeology is rooted in relationship building as much as research design, and relationships push us to reorient how we do (and write about) archaeology. This article examines my on-the-ground and emergent experiences using three methods during a community-based project: (1) working with oral histories as narrative sources, (2) navigating community archives in the field, and (3) learning and applying close-range photogrammetry. I argue that examining how methods emerge and change during community-based projects is a valuable aspect of archaeological practice and that a narrative approach to discussing methodology allows us to interrogate how specific challenges push us to develop creative and interdisciplinary ways to do archaeology with others. ResumenLa arqueolog & iacute;a comunitaria no siempre se integra con claridad en los marcos de las pr & aacute;cticas tradicionales. Como especialistas en arqueolog & iacute;a, nuestras relaciones con las comunidades son situadas y din & aacute;micas, por lo que es l & oacute;gico que nuestros m & eacute;todos tambi & eacute;n lo sean. Hace varios a & ntilde;os, como estudiante de posgrado al inicio de un proyecto comunitario, recuerdo la necesidad que sent & iacute;a de tener una hoja de ruta: un conjunto prescrito de m & eacute;todos que guiara el trabajo con y en la comunidad. Sin embargo, la pr & aacute;ctica me demostr & oacute; que las hojas de ruta son poco & uacute;tiles en este tipo de terreno. La arqueolog & iacute;a comunitaria se basa tanto en la construcci & oacute;n de relaciones como en el dise & ntilde;o de la investigaci & oacute;n, y justo son esas relaciones las que nos impulsan a reorientar nuestra forma de hacer (y escribir) arqueolog & iacute;a. Este art & iacute;culo examina mis experiencias en campo y las que surgieron a partir de tres m & eacute;todos aplicados en un proyecto comunitario: (1) el trabajo con historias orales como fuentes narrativas, (2) la exploraci & oacute;n de archivos comunitarios en el terreno, y (3) el aprendizaje y aplicaci & oacute;n de la fotogrametr & iacute;a de corto alcance. Argumento que examinar c & oacute;mo surgen y se transforman los m & eacute;todos durante proyectos comunitarios es un aspecto valioso de la pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica, y que un enfoque narrativo para discutir la metodolog & iacute;a nos permite interrogar la forma en que determinados desaf & iacute;os nos empujan a desarrollar formas creativas e interdisciplinarias de hacer arqueolog & iacute;a con otras personas y comunidades.
The field of anthropological archaeology in North America is undergoing significant changes, particularly within academia, with an increased focus on and inclusion of Indigenous perspectives. Concomitant with the reorientation of archaeological practice that centers on Indigenous voices, concerns, and sensibilities is a subsequent reorientation in the training of the next generation of practitioners. This article highlights an example of a collaborative archaeological field school developed by, with, and for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, and the University of Oregon. We document the long-term use of collaborative field schools to train the next generation of Tribal and non-Tribal archaeologists in archaeological field methods and collaborative research practices with, for, and by Indigenous communities. Arqueolog & iacute;a antropol & oacute;gica en Norteam & eacute;rica est & aacute; experimentando cambios significativos, particularmente en el & aacute;mbito acad & eacute;mico, con un mayor enfoque en las perspectivas Ind & iacute;genas y su inclusi & oacute;n. Paralelamente a la reorientaci & oacute;n de la pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica centrada en las voces, preocupaciones y sensibilidades Ind & iacute;genas, se observa una reorientaci & oacute;n en la formaci & oacute;n de la pr & oacute;xima generaci & oacute;n de profesionales. Este art & iacute;culo destaca un ejemplo de una escuela de campo arqueol & oacute;gica colaborativa desarrollada por, con y para la Banda Tribal Amah Mutsun, el Fideicomiso de Tierras Amah Mutsun y la Universidad de Oreg & oacute;n. Documentamos el uso a largo plazo de escuelas de campo colaborativas para capacitar a la pr & oacute;xima generaci & oacute;n de arque & oacute;logos, tanto Ind & iacute;genas como no Ind & iacute;genas, en m & eacute;todos arqueol & oacute;gicos y pr & aacute;cticas de investigaci & oacute;n colaborativa con, paray por las comunidades Ind & iacute;genas.
In this article we present a methodological framework for integrating nondigital legacy excavation data with modern stratigraphic datasets in a 3D-GIS environment. Using a case study from the Late Bronze Age site of Hala Sultan Tekke (Cyprus), we demonstrate how georeferenced photogrammetric models can be combined with digitized legacy documentation to overcome inconsistencies in archival records. The approach enables the correction of elevation data, the reconstruction of stratigraphic layers that are no longer preserved, and the interpolation of missing contexts. By aligning old section drawings with high-resolution 3D models of recent sondages, we created a coherent spatial and chronological framework that facilitates new archaeological interpretations. This integrated model also supports cross-disciplinary collaboration and long-term digital preservation. The study contributes to wider discussions on the sustainable use of unpublished or fragmentary excavation records, offering a practical, step-by-step guide for researchers working with similar datasets. Ultimately, this approach underscores the potential of 3D modeling to revitalize underused archaeological archives and transform them into dynamic analytical tools, in line with current best practices in digital archaeology and open data sharing.
In recent years, mobile GIS systems have become essential tools for the real-time management and recording of archaeological data, particularly in archaeological survey projects. This article explores their potential for the real-time digital management of archaeological excavations and presents a practical application. One of the main limitations to the use of mobile GIS applications in archaeological excavation has been that global navigation satellite system receivers embedded in mobile devices do not provide the necessary accuracy for detailed stratigraphic documentation. The free and open-source mobile GIS application QField offers a possible solution to this problem. Because of the Bluetooth connection with external differential global navigation satellite system receivers, QField achieves the high accuracy required by stratigraphic excavation workflows. At the same time, because it shares the core libraries of QGIS, QField supports the development of a real-time excavation GIS environment, in which each stratigraphic unit is uniquely encoded and becomes the focus of the digital data acquisition process. En los & uacute;ltimos a & ntilde;os, los SIG m & oacute;viles se han convertido en herramientas esenciales para la gesti & oacute;n y el registro en tiempo real de datos arqueol & oacute;gicos, especialmente en proyectos de prospecci & oacute;n arqueol & oacute;gica. El objetivo de este art & iacute;culo es explorar su potencial tambi & eacute;n para la gesti & oacute;n digital en tiempo real de excavaciones arqueol & oacute;gicas mostrando una posible aplicaci & oacute;n pr & aacute;ctica. Una de las principales limitaciones para el uso de aplicaciones SIG m & oacute;viles en excavaciones arqueol & oacute;gicas siempre ha sido que los receptores GNSS integrados en los dispositivos m & oacute;viles no proporcionan la precisi & oacute;n necesaria para una documentaci & oacute;n estratigr & aacute;fica detallada. La aplicaci & oacute;n SIG m & oacute;vil libre y de c & oacute;digo abierto QField ofrece una posible soluci & oacute;n a este problema. Gracias a la conexi & oacute;n Bluetooth con receptores DGNSS externos, QField alcanza una alta precisi & oacute;n requerida para el flujo de trabajo en una excavaci & oacute;n estratigr & aacute;fica. Al mismo tiempo, al compartir las mismas bibliotecas principales que QGIS, QField permite el desarrollo de un entorno SIG de excavaci & oacute;n en tiempo real, donde cada unidad estratigr & aacute;fica se codifica de manera & uacute;nica y se convierte en el centro del proceso de adquisici & oacute;n digital de datos.
Postsecondary education is at the forefront of preparing the next generation of cultural resource management (CRM) practitioners for the workforce. We conducted a study from 2022 to 2023 to gain perspective on improving postsecondary CRM curricula in order to better prepare students for careers in CRM. Our research included semi-structured interviews of nine key consultants with careers in CRM, along with a survey of the broader CRM professional community in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Results from the research identified the necessary skills for new college graduates, areas where CRM programs could improve their curricula, and various approaches in and out of the classroom that are helpful in training students. La educaci & oacute;n postsecundaria est & aacute; a la vanguardia en la preparaci & oacute;n de la pr & oacute;xima generaci & oacute;n de profesionales de Gesti & oacute;n de Recursos Culturales (CRM en ingl & eacute;s) para el mercado laboral. Realizamos un estudio entre 2022 y 2023 para obtener una perspectiva sobre la mejora de los planes de estudio de CRM en la educaci & oacute;n postsecundaria y as & iacute; preparar mejor a los estudiantes para carreras en CRM. Nuestra investigaci & oacute;n incluy & oacute; entrevistas semiestructuradas a nueve consultores clave con carreras en CRM, junto con una encuesta a la comunidad profesional de CRM en general en el noroeste del Pac & iacute;fico de EE. UU. Los resultados de la investigaci & oacute;n identificaron las habilidades necesarias para los universitarios reci & eacute;n graduados, las & aacute;reas en las que los programas de CRM podr & iacute;an mejorar sus planes de estudio y diversos enfoques, tanto dentro como fuera del aula, que son & uacute;tiles para la formaci & oacute;n de los estudiantes.
Archaeological sampling is a critical yet inconsistently applied aspect of field methodology. Poorly designed strategies produce biased or irreproducible results, especially when recovery is labor-intensive and research expectations are high. This article addresses that challenge through the lens of spatial microrefuse analysis, using simulation modeling to evaluate current practices and improve sampling design, training, and planning. A review of 27 published microrefuse studies reveals wide variation in sampling strategies, unit sizes, and volumes, with little evidence of statistical justification. To explore the consequences of this variation, I introduce the Archaeological Sampling Experiment Laboratory (tASEL), an open-source simulation tool developed in NetLogo and archived in the CoMSES model library. tASEL allows archaeologists to construct artifact distributions and test random, systematic, or hybrid sampling frames with immediate visual and statistical feedback. I used tASEL to conduct 22,000 virtual sampling experiments across two artifact distributions: a diffuse random scatter and a highly clustered pattern. Results show that sampling performance varies significantly by distribution, sample size, and frame design. Random strategies produced the highest accuracy and lowest bias. I conclude by demonstrating how tASEL can be used in classroom and field contexts to improve sampling literacy and support more robust archaeological practice. El muestreo arqueol & oacute;gico es un aspecto fundamental, aunque aplicado de manera inconsistente, de la metodolog & iacute;a de campo. Las estrategias mal dise & ntilde;adas producen resultados sesgados o irreproducibles, especialmente cuando la recuperaci & oacute;n es laboriosa y las expectativas de investigaci & oacute;n son altas. Este art & iacute;culo aborda este problema desde la perspectiva del an & aacute;lisis espacial de microdesechos, utilizando modelos de simulaci & oacute;n para evaluar las pr & aacute;cticas actuales y mejorar el dise & ntilde;o, la formaci & oacute;n y la planificaci & oacute;n del muestreo. Una revisi & oacute;n de 27 estudios publicados sobre microdesechos revela una gran variaci & oacute;n en las estrategias de muestreo, los tama & ntilde;os de las unidades y los vol & uacute;menes, con escasa evidencia de fundamentaci & oacute;n estad & iacute;stica. Para explorar las consecuencias de esta variaci & oacute;n, presento el Archaeological Sampling Experiment Laboratory (tASEL), una herramienta de simulaci & oacute;n de c & oacute;digo abierto desarrollada en NetLogo y archivada en la biblioteca de modelos CoMSES. tASEL permite a los arque & oacute;logos construir distribuciones de artefactos y probar marcos de muestreo aleatorios, sistem & aacute;ticos o h & iacute;bridos con retroalimentaci & oacute;n visual y estad & iacute;stica inmediata. Utilic & eacute; tASEL para realizar 22 000 experimentos virtuales de muestreo sobre dos distribuciones de artefactos: una dispersi & oacute;n aleatoria difusa y un patr & oacute;n fuertemente agrupado. Los resultados muestran que el rendimiento del muestreo var & iacute;a de forma significativa seg & uacute;n la distribuci & oacute;n, el tama & ntilde;o de la muestra y el dise & ntilde;o del marco. Las estrategias aleatorias produjeron la mayor exactitud y el menor sesgo. Concluyo demostrando c & oacute;mo tASEL puede emplearse en contextos de aula y de campo para mejorar la alfabetizaci & oacute;n en muestreo y apoyar una pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica m & aacute;s robusta.
Gender inequality carries high social costs, and understanding its causes and consequences remains a pressing concern. Numerous policymakers and academics have taken on this challenge, including anthropological archaeologists. Because archaeologists create narratives about the past that can justify or question current and future actions, contemporary archaeological practice impacts everyone. This themed issue builds on recent documentations of disparities and calls to address them. To do so, contributors use a mix of quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as novel theoretical perspectives, to understand why intersectional gender-based inequalities continue and to propose interventions to rectify them. We begin by considering the history of feminist equity critiques. We then argue that scholars should build on existing research by reconceptualizing not only difference but also exclusion. Policymakers, academics, and others must move beyond the problematic yet ubiquitous metaphor of a leaky pipeline and instead consider the active-though often unconscious and unintentional-ways individuals and institutions exclude, including through notions of fit, prestige, and the hysteresis of habitus, also known as the Don Quixote effect. The overarching goal of the themed issue, and this article, is to advocate for interventions in contemporary archaeological practice and beyond. La desigualdad de g & eacute;nero conlleva altos costos sociales, y comprender sus causas y consecuencias sigue siendo una preocupaci & oacute;n urgente. Numerosos responsables pol & iacute;ticos y acad & eacute;micos han asumido este desaf & iacute;o, incluidos los arque & oacute;logos antropol & oacute;gicos. Debido a que los arque & oacute;logos crean narrativas sobre el pasado que pueden justificar o cuestionar las acciones actuales y futuras, la pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica contempor & aacute;nea impacta a todos. Este n & uacute;mero tem & aacute;tico se basa en la documentaci & oacute;n reciente de las disparidades y los llamados a abordarlas. Para ello, los colaboradores utilizan una combinaci & oacute;n de an & aacute;lisis cuantitativos y cualitativos, as & iacute; como perspectivas te & oacute;ricas novedosas, para comprender por qu & eacute; contin & uacute;an las desigualdades interseccionales basadas en el g & eacute;nero y proponer intervenciones para rectificarlas. Este art & iacute;culo introductorio comienza considerando la historia de las cr & iacute;ticas feministas a la equidad. Luego, argumenta que los acad & eacute;micos deben basarse en la investigaci & oacute;n existente reconceptualizando no solo la diferencia, sino tambi & eacute;n la exclusi & oacute;n. Los responsables pol & iacute;ticos, los acad & eacute;micos y otros deben ir m & aacute;s all & aacute; de la met & aacute;fora problem & aacute;tica pero omnipresente de una tuber & iacute;a con fugas y, en cambio, considerar las formas activas, aunque a menudo inconscientes e involuntarias, en que los individuos y las instituciones excluyen, incluso a trav & eacute;s de las nociones de idoneidad, prestigio e hist & eacute;resis del habitus, tambi & eacute;n conocido como el efecto Don Quijote. El objetivo general del n & uacute;mero tem & aacute;tico, y de este art & iacute;culo, es abogar por intervenciones en la pr & aacute;ctica arqueol & oacute;gica contempor & aacute;nea y m & aacute;s all & aacute;.
Authorship metrics are a key component of academic advancement. Given recent increases in the publication of collaborative, multiauthored articles, we examine patterns in the perceived gender of authors of peer-reviewed journal articles with five or more coauthors in 11 academic archaeology journals. Our results suggest consistent patterns in lead and last authors and in coauthors. Men are more likely to serve as both lead and last authors and to include far more men than women as coauthors on their publications. We consider the ways gender homophily, friendship networks, and other forms of often unintentional exclusion may have a negative impact on the careers of women and members of other marginalized communities in archaeology and propose recommendations to address these issues within the field. In addition to greater individual reflexivity around coauthorship decisions, we encourage the development of clear guidelines on author ascription by archaeological organizations and publishing outlets and advocate that institutions adopt both total publication and fractional publication counts as measures of individual productivity. Las m & eacute;tricas de autor & iacute;a son un componente clave del avance acad & eacute;mico. Dado el reciente aumento en la publicaci & oacute;n de art & iacute;culos colaborativos de varios autores, examinamos los patrones en el g & eacute;nero percibido de los autores en art & iacute;culos de revistas revisadas por pares con cinco o m & aacute;s coautores en once revistas acad & eacute;micas de arqueolog & iacute;a diferentes. Nuestros resultados sugieren patrones consistentes en los autores principales y los & uacute;ltimos y coautores. Es m & aacute;s probable que los hombres act & uacute;en como autores principales y & uacute;ltimos e incluyan a muchos m & aacute;s hombres que mujeres como coautores en sus publicaciones. Consideramos las formas en que la homofilia de g & eacute;nero, las redes de amistad y otras formas de exclusi & oacute;n a menudo involuntaria pueden afectar negativamente las carreras de las mujeres y los miembros de otras comunidades marginadas en arqueolog & iacute;a y proponemos una serie de recomendaciones para abordar estos problemas dentro del campo. Adem & aacute;s de una mayor reflexividad individual en torno a las decisiones de coautor & iacute;a, alentamos el desarrollo de pautas claras sobre la adscripci & oacute;n de autores de organizaciones arqueol & oacute;gicas y medios editoriales y abogamos por la adopci & oacute;n de recuentos de publicaciones totales y fraccionadas como medidas de productividad individual por parte de las instituciones.
The manual identification of ancient agricultural terraces is time-consuming and subjective, limiting large-scale archaeological landscape documentation. This study applies deep learning to detect ancient terraces in the Bozburun Peninsula, southwestern Turkey, a historically significant Hellenistic landscape. Four U-Net-based architectures were implemented-early, intermediate, and late fusion, along with an RGB-only baseline-integrating high-resolution aerial imagery (30 cm) and digital elevation models (DEMs) across 193 km2. Sixteen manually digitized areas (37.8 ha) produced 256 training patches (512 & times; 512 px). The early fusion model that combined spectral and topographic data achieved the best performance (IoU = 0.754; accuracy = 85.9%). Monte Carlo evaluation confirmed its robustness. Spatial analysis showed that 89.8% of detected terraces lie below 300 m elevation, mainly on 10 degrees-20 degrees slopes with north-northwest orientation, in agreement with previous archaeological observations. Compared with expert digitization, the model yielded higher precision (87.4% vs. 79.3%), while experts achieved higher recall (94.3% vs. 76.6%). Applied to the full peninsula, the model mapped 2,517 ha of terraces. Validation using an existing archaeological dataset (Demirciler 2014) enabled direct comparison between automated and expert-based interpretations. The results indicate the potential of deep learning for terrace detection in Mediterranean landscapes and outline a methodological framework for documenting threatened cultural heritage. Manuel olarak antik tar & imath;m teraslar & imath;n & imath; belirlemek zaman al & imath;c & imath; ve & ouml;zneldir, bu da b & uuml;y & uuml;k & ouml;l & ccedil;ekli arkeolojik peyzaj dok & uuml;mantasyonunu k & imath;s & imath;tlamaktad & imath;r. Bu & ccedil;al & imath;& scedil;ma, tarihsel olarak & ouml;nemli bir Helenistik peyzaj olan g & uuml;neybat & imath; T & uuml;rkiye'deki Bozburun Yar & imath;madas & imath;'ndaki antik teraslar & imath; tespit etmek i & ccedil;in derin & ouml;& gbreve;renmeyi uygulamaktad & imath;r. Y & uuml;ksek & ccedil;& ouml;z & uuml;n & uuml;rl & uuml;kl & uuml; hava foto & gbreve;raf & imath; (30 cm) ve say & imath;sal y & uuml;kseklik modellerini 193 km2 alan genelinde entegre eden d & ouml;rt U-Net tabanl & imath; mimari (erken, ara ve ge & ccedil; f & uuml;zyon ile sadece RGB i & ccedil;eren bir temel & ccedil;izgi) uyguland & imath;. Manuel olarak say & imath;salla & scedil;t & imath;r & imath;lm & imath;& scedil; on alt & imath; alan (37.8 ha), 256 e & gbreve;itim yamas & imath; (512 & times; 512 piksel) & uuml;retti. Spektral ve topografik verileri birle & scedil;tiren erken f & uuml;zyon modeli en iyi performans & imath; elde etti (IoU = 0.754; do & gbreve;ruluk = 85.9%). Monte Carlo de & gbreve;erlendirmesi, modelin sa & gbreve;laml & imath;& gbreve;& imath;n & imath; do & gbreve;rulad & imath;. & Ouml;nceki arkeolojik g & ouml;zlemlerle uyumlu olacak & scedil;ekilde, uzamsal analiz tespit edilen teraslar & imath;n %89.8'inin 300 metrenin alt & imath;nda bir y & uuml;kseklikte, esas olarak kuzey-kuzeybat & imath; y & ouml;nelimli 10 degrees-20 degrees e & gbreve;imlerde bulundu & gbreve;unu g & ouml;sterdi. Uzman say & imath;salla & scedil;t & imath;rmas & imath;yla kar & scedil;& imath;la & scedil;t & imath;r & imath;ld & imath;& gbreve;& imath;nda, model daha y & uuml;ksek kesinlik (Precision) sa & gbreve;lad & imath; (%87.4'e kar & scedil;& imath;l & imath;k %79.3), buna kar & scedil;& imath;n uzmanlar daha y & uuml;ksek geri & ccedil;a & gbreve;& imath;rma (Recall) elde etti (%94.3'e kar & scedil;& imath;l & imath;k %76.6). T & uuml;m yar & imath;madaya uyguland & imath;& gbreve;& imath;nda, model 2.517 ha teras alan & imath; haritalad & imath;. Mevcut bir arkeolojik veri k & uuml;mesi kullan & imath;larak yap & imath;lan do & gbreve;rulama (Demirciler 2014), otomatik ve uzman tabanl & imath; yorumlar aras & imath;nda do & gbreve;rudan kar & scedil;& imath;la & scedil;t & imath;rma yap & imath;lmas & imath;n & imath; sa & gbreve;lad & imath;. Sonu & ccedil;lar, derin & ouml;& gbreve;renmenin Akdeniz peyzajlar & imath;ndaki teras tespiti i & ccedil;in potansiyelini g & ouml;stermekte ve tehdit alt & imath;ndaki k & uuml;lt & uuml;rel miras & imath;n belgelenmesi i & ccedil;in metodolojik bir & ccedil;er & ccedil;eve sunmaktad & imath;r.
