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The application of quick response (QR) codes in archaeology: a case study at Telperion Shelter, South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

Tim Forssman ,
Jacqueline Jordaan ,
Katherine Forssman ,
Gerhard Jordaan  and
Christian Louw
Tim Forssman
Affiliation:
University of the Witwatersrand, Rock Art Research Institute, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, PO Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa (Email: tim.forssman@gmail.com)
Jacqueline Jordaan
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba, Department of Anthropology, 15 Chancellor Circle, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Katherine Forssman
Affiliation:
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Old Soutpan Road, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
Gerhard Jordaan
Affiliation:
University of Manitoba, Department of Anthropology, 15 Chancellor Circle, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
Christian Louw
Affiliation:
University of the Witwatersrand, Rock Art Research Institute, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, PO Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa (Email: tim.forssman@gmail.com)
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Extract

Accurate, efficient and clear recording is a key aim of archaeological field studies, but one not always achieved. Errors occur and information is not always properly recorded. Left unresolved, these errors create confusion, delay analysis and result in the loss of data, thereby causing misinterpretation of the past. To mitigate these outcomes, quick response (QR) codes were used to record the rock art of Telperion Shelter in Mpumalanga Province, eastern South Africa. The QR codes were used to store important contextual information. This increased the rate of field recording, reduced the amount of field errors, provided a cost effective alternative to conventional field records and enhanced data presentation. Such a tool is useful to archaeologists working in the field, and for those presenting heritage-based information to a specialist, student or amateur audience in a variety of formats, including scientific publications. We demonstrate the tool's potential by presenting an overview and critique of our use of QR codes at Telperion Shelter.

Type
Method
Information
Antiquity , Volume 90 , Issue 353 , October 2016 , pp. 1363 - 1372
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2016 

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