Bibliographic Information
Article Title
A Survey of How Archaeological Repositories Are Managing Digital Associated Records and Data: A Byte of the Reality Sandwich
Journal Title
Advances in Archaeological Practice
Author(s)
Rivers Cofield, Sara, and Childs, S. Terry, and Majewski, Teresita.
Month of Publication
January
Year of Publication
2024
Volume Number
12
Issue Number
1
Article Pages
20–33
Web Address (URL)
Additional Information
Language
English
Notes
Abstract
Archaeologists are taught about the importance of professional recordation and our ethical obligations to those associated records and data. These teachings imply that practitioners are meeting a professional standard of recordation that will stand the test of time, but the ongoing digital revolution is changing the way records and data are created and preserved. Best practices for the management and use of digital archaeological records have been published, and devoted digital archives offer these services. However, the ability of traditional archaeological repositories to adopt best practices or pay for digital curation is poorly understood. This article presents the results of a survey asking how the flood of digital records and data has impacted the ability of archaeological repositories to collect, manage, preserve, use, and make accessible digital archaeological records and data. Are repositories adopting the best practices that have been outlined? What kinds of challenges do repositories face regarding digital records and data? Are they being overcome successfully? The survey results offer a snapshot of current practice and point to future directions that should be pursued to ensure that the discipline is meeting its professional obligations.
Taxonomies
RPA Codes & Standards
- Archaeologist's Responsibility to the Public
- Integrity of Research Methodology
- Maintaining Continuity of Records
- Specimen and Research Record Storage
CIfA Codes
- Principle 1: Adherence to ethical and responsible behaviour in archaeological affairs
- Principle 3: Responsibility for acquiring and recording reliable information of the past in archaeological research
- Principle 4: Responsibility for the availability of archaeological results within reasonable dispatch
Keywords & Terms
- Continuity of Records
- Digital Archive
- Digital Repository
- Digitization
- Integrity of Research Methodology and Field Procedures
- Preservation of Archaeological Resources
- Professional Standards
- Standards of Data Collection, Recordation, Analysis
- Storage of Data, Specimens, and Records

