This volume consists of a selection of the peer-reviewed papers presented at the Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology 2012 conference hosted by the Archaeological Computing Research Group at the University of Southampton, UK between 26th and 30th March 2012. The conference included 53 sessions divided between the themes of simulating the past, spatial analysis, data modelling and sharing, data analysis, management, integration and visualisation, geospatial technologies, field and lab recording, theoretical approaches and the context of archaeological computing, and a general theme. In addition there were 12 workshops. A total of 380 papers and posters were presented, and two key note addresses. Alongside the lively conference atmosphere at the venue there was a thriving social media back channel. In addition to these proceedings there is therefore a broad ranging multimedia record of the event, accessible via the conference website.

The co-organisers of CAA2012 and myself would like to thank the CAA Steering Committee for their advice and assistance. We are also indebted to Professor Anne Curry (Dean of Faculty of Humanities) and Professor Jonathan Adams (Head of Archaeology) for their support and encouragement. Many individuals and organisations in Southampton and further afield, including the sponsors and exhibitors, contributed to making the conference such a success. Of course without the many delegates travelling from across the globe and offering such exciting contributions there could have been no conference, and we are very grateful to them for their lively contributions to all aspects of the event. Finally, we would like to offer our thanks to the superb team of volunteers that made CAA2012 possible. The Archaeological Computing Research Group at Southampton was very proud indeed to be able to host the 40th CAA conference and we know that this was demonstrated by the enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism of the postgraduate and undergraduate students that gave so much of their time to the event.

I very much hope that you enjoy these proceedings and all the many related outputs from CAA2012, and I look forward to seeing you at future CAA conferences.

Abstract:

Examination of material remains of previous human societies help study past human behaviour in archaeology. Some of the most important remains are the ruins of historic buildings. The use of computerized recording equipment and three-dimensional drawing are essential tools for researchers to recreate a ruined structure for reconstruction and further analysis. However, the reliability of the precision of the reconstructed model can be controversial due to the absence of sufficient historical information and fabric loss. In this study, structural analysis has proved to be an alternative or confirming tool for reconstruction in addition to site survey and historical investigation. On the basis of the stability of the ruined structures possible hypothetical forms can structurally be analysed under the associated loads and the resulting behaviour can be assessed to determine its actual form. Therefore, based on a multidisciplinary methodology, a novel approach to reconstruction of a historic structure has been presented in this paper. Following laser scanning to measure the complex geometry of the fallen structure and geophysical techniques to estimate the properties of inaccessible parts, a finite element model has been generated and some original forms of the construction has been evaluated based on the static analysis results.

Keywords:

Cultural Heritage, Reconstruction, Original Form, Structural Analysis, Archaeological Techniques, Pozzolana Concrete

Introduction

The historic environment provides a unique record of past human activity. The vision, abilities and investment of successive societies have formed the distinctive qualities of this environment. Therefore, it is a valuable resource, providing a sense of continuity and identity (Heritage 2008). Amongst the cultural heritage components, historic buildings have a significant place. Thus, documentation of heritage buildings is critical for their protection and restoration (Yastikli 2007). In archaeology, various methods are used. Computerized recording equipment and three-dimensional plotting are widely used tools (Sinning-Meister, Gruen, and Dan 1996; Park et al. 2007). However, documentation can be challenging work depending on the extent of the remains of the past structures. Absence of sufficient historical information and loss of building components and fabric may substantially decrease the reliability of the reconstructed models.

Abstract:

Tangible Pasts is a Mixed Reality (MR) prototype that combines a tangible interface with virtual content. The physical object, a book, enables users to manipulate the virtual models in real time by their actions performed in the physical world. This paper presents an overview of designing the prototype, and the evaluation of this application by participants who tested its usability and interpretive value. It also presents some preliminary results of the second round of design and evaluation. The attention is stressed on the importance of performing constant user evaluations in parallel to the design of the prototype in order to produce an application that is usable and of benefit to archaeological research and interpretation of cultural heritage knowledge.

Keywords:

Tangible Pasts, Mixed Reality, Iterative Design, User Evaluation

Introduction

This paper presents the preliminary results of a tangible prototype interface for cultural heritage dissemination in a Mixed Reality (MR) environment. This research project was developed in parallel to our research work, which is related to several aspects of computer visualisation, interpretation and presentation of archaeological material, with the purpose to explore available MR platforms from a human and user-centred perspective. The design of this application, which utilises available technologies, was structured around three main research questions: a) How can we provide an intuitive user-friendly application for cultural heritage, which blends virtual imagery with the actual world, where users operate and interact with the information? b) How effectively can archaeological information and visual interpretations of the past be disseminated through such technologies? c) How can user evaluations in early stages inform archaeological interpretive design? Based on the principles of iterative design the prototype was designed, evaluated, analysed, refined and reevaluated. This cyclic process will continue until any issues identified by participants in this research will be kept at a minimum. This project Mali also employ new technologies as they become available to the public, attempting to smoothly combine the natural process of reading with MR content.

Background and Objectives of Tangible Pasts

A significant number of collaborative projects have already started to exploit the real potential of MR technologies and develop new methodologies in interpretive archaeology, cultural heritage sites and museums (Noh et al. 2009; Champion 2011).

Abstract:

This paper aims to provide a framework for the new critical approaches in archaeological network analysis presented in the CAA 2011 Data Analysis session. It will briefly introduce the history of two network traditions that have been highly influential in archaeology: social network analysis and complex networks in physics. A review of published archaeological and historical applications follows, illustrating that, although a wide range of applications already exists, archaeologists have still to explore its full potential as a research perspective. Some relevant papers presented at the Data Analysis session are briefly described and considered in order to add original and critical approaches to an already very diverse corpus. We will argue that an awareness of the dominant network traditions, their differences and how they have been applied by archaeologists, as well as a specifically archaeological critique of adopted techniques, is a necessity for future research agendas.

Key Words: Networks, Social Networks Analysis, Complex Networks

Introduction

Relationships between people, objects and ideas mattered in the past just as they matter now and will continue to do so in the future. If we want to properly understand the structure of our datasets, the particular actions of historical individuals or the properties of past large-scale processes, the explicit study of relationships is crucial. It is our belief that a networks approach holds great potential for this purpose. The session entitled ‘Connecting the dots: critical approaches in archaeological network analysis’ held at CAA 2011 in Beijing as part of the ‘Data Analysis’ session aimed to provide a multidisciplinary discussion platform to explore this potential. This paper gives an overview of archaeological applications of network analysis, as well as the multi-disciplinary traditions that have been most influential to these applications. A brief introduction of the papers presented in that session illustrates that new critical approaches of networks have much to offer to our discipline.

The Old Science of Networks

Network-based approaches consist of a set of theories, models and applications developed and often differently applied in diverse disciplines. Whilst networks were originally the territory of mathematicians in graph theory (Biggs et al. 1976; Bollobas 1998; Harary 1969; Harary et al. 1965; West 1996), sociologists have developed a strong tradition of social network analysis in the latter half of the previous century (Barnes and Harary 1983; Freeman 2004; Granovetter 1973; Wasserman and Faust 1994).