Archaeological software, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), radiocarbon dating calibration tools, and stratigraphic planning software, are important tools for archaeologists to understand human culture. GIS is particularly useful for generating maps and conducting viewshed analysis. Other common software, such as statistics packages and database programs, are also important in modern archaeology.
Archaeological software is one of many tools archaeologists use in their quest to understand the history and prehistory of human culture. Archaeologists use special software to track the locations of archaeological sites, calibrate radiocarbon dates, and track relationships between artifacts. Archaeological software can be just as important a tool to an archaeologist as a trowel or brush.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are one of the most important types of archeology software. A GIS program stores location data for sites, artifacts, and terrain features, allowing the archaeologist to generate maps that visually show the relationships between them. GIS software can also help with other types of analysis, such as viewshed analysis, where the archaeologist examines lines of sight that connect different points in the landscape.
GIS programs are not just a form of archaeological software. Many other professions make use of this type of software. However, GIS programs play such an important role in modern archeology that they must be considered one of the main tools of archaeologists.
Radiocarbon dating is an important technique by which archaeologists determine the age of organic remains such as wood, bone, leather, or other plant or animal tissue. An estimate of the object’s age is obtained by measuring the amount of radioactive carbon-14 in an object and comparing it to the known decay rate of that isotope. This rough estimate must be calibrated to produce a range of possible calendar dates for the item. To calibrate dates, archaeologists use any of several archeology software designed to calibrate dates. Many of these, such as OxCal, produced by the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, can also perform further statistical analysis on dating evidence to narrow the date range.
When investigating a site, archaeologists also study its stratigraphy, the spatial relationship between excavated objects. Knowing which objects are above or below each other in the strata, or strata, of the site helps archaeologists establish a chronology or timeline. The stratigraphic relationship between objects can sometimes be complicated. In cases like this, a stratigraphic plan helps clarify the relationships. There are a number of software packages for creating these diagrams.
There are a variety of specialized software packages for archaeologists. However, many of the most important software in archeology are not industry specific at all. Statistics packages, database programs, and other common software are an important part of modern archeology.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
