Born digital: recording rebooted
Authors: Parker, L. and Cromwell, T.
Journal: The Archaeologist
Issue: 113
Pages: 26-27
Abstract:Historic England’s Archaeological Projects team’s central concept is to start with the archive and work backwards to define a methodology. The team began recording digitally three decades ago through early adoption and adaption. We use Intrasis, a tool designed by National Historical Museums, Sweden, with whom we have worked closely with to modify the system to suit our needs. As the public body for the historic environment, the methodology we have designed aims for best practice. Our paper highlighted both what we do and what we do not do, and whether this is by design or due to system functionality–both of which are contributing factors affecting development.
Overall, many of the insights throughout the sessions were recurrent. Given the stark contrast between current systems and capabilities, unification was considered vital by those in attendance, and would likely include the development of standards and/or guidance. The latter would allow organisations wanting to start down the route of digital recording to learn from our collective experience to date. The concern for the future of digital recording within archaeology is accessibility and interoperability. Not all factors were considered equal, and the ‘worthiness’ of data was cause for debate.
Source: Manual