⛏️VWV Volumes #32: Analyst-in-Training Selena Yuan on Tech's Role in Archeology
In this week's volume, Selena talks about the history of tech for archeological purposes and future growth in the archeology industry.
When thinking of archaeology, most tend to think of bones, ancient artifacts, Indiana Jones, and lots of digging. While this was a reality in the past, the landscape of archaeology is rapidly changing. Ethical concerns as well as diminishing open land have prompted archaeologists to embrace various technologies, allowing them to uncover our past without physically uncovering anything.
The History of Tech in Archeology 💻
Beyond the common perception of digging, technology plays a crucial role in catalyzing both discovery and preservation. To understand how far technology has come in the world of archaeology, it’s important to see where it started. Proposed in the 1930s, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) found its archaeological application in the 1970s when European archaeologists used lasers to map castles and surrounding terrain. Though groundbreaking, LiDAR has limitations, especially in penetrating the ground and densely packed tree areas. To overcome these constraints, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was introduced, providing archaeologists with images of subsurface structures. Notable discoveries, including the remains of King Henry I and the Terracotta Warriors, resulted from the synergy of LiDAR and GPR technologies. Companies like Digital Archaeology arose gaining nearly $750,000 in funding and eventually selling for $87 million.
Technology Utilized Today 📡
As LiDAR and GPR technologies phase out, drones have taken center stage. Modern drones are now equipped with high-definition cameras that enable scientists to plan excavation sites, monitor historical sites, create 3D models, combat illegal excavations, and enhance preservation efforts. These aerial devices also facilitate exploration in hard-to-reach areas, such as the depths of the ocean.
Taking preservation to a new level, 3D printing has become a game-changer, allowing for the preservation, restoration, and replication of artifacts. Museums can now display replicas of fragile or disputed artifacts, increasing awareness of historical pieces. Advancements in 3D printing have also made it possible to restore objects to their original states and perhaps most significantly, it enables in-depth analysis of excavation sites and artifacts without physically visiting them. The Lion of Mosul, destroyed in war, stands as a testament to 3D printing's power, with archaeologists recreating a perfect replica from crowdsourced images. It now resides in the Imperial War Museum in London for everyone to see and interact with.
Virtual reality (VR) has also been used to enhance the archeological experience. While none of these advancements have been made for archaeology itself, VR is one of the rare sectors where businesses are forming to cater these technologies for archeological purposes. One of these companies is Lithodomos, an Australian-based startup that generated nearly $1 million in seed funding from investors. They’ve covered several locations and act as an educational opportunity for many to explore. This also highlights the development of digital archiving and documentation. Digital archiving and documentation have become vital, allowing people to witness artifacts in their original states through online platforms, combating wear and tear over time.
AI in Archeology 🚀
The most recent advancements come in AI and big data. Historians and archaeologists have begun to use these technologies to examine historical texts, identifying patterns or mistakes that go unnoticed by the human eye. It also allows them to analyze thousands of texts at the same time, comparing them to each other, enabling scholars to find new connections and utilize them to change or further preexisting understandings. ArchAI is one of those startups that have received funding to pursue the impacts AI has on archaeology.
In the USA alone, commercial archaeology is estimated to be a nearly $950 million market. While quantifying the size of the digital archaeology market remains challenging, the archaeological world is unmistakably gravitating toward new innovations for groundbreaking discoveries. It's an exciting time as we anticipate the unveiling of more insights into our past through these technological marvels.
About the Author
Selena is a freshman from the Bay Area concentrating in Applied Math-Economics and Archaeology. She is interested in exploring finance and startups. In high school, Selena built her own company, where she learned the intricacies of e-commerce. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing and eating good food.
References
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Aitchison, Kenneth and Dore, Christopher. “We don’t have a JOBS problem, we have a CAREERS problem”. Landward Research/FAME & Heritage Business International, 29 Apr. 2022, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/544b30c0e4b0023e70482546/t/62e0b20485302b745a6ae155/1658892806216/Aitchison+Dore+%282022%29+CIfA+Labor+Ecoonomics+text+and+slides.pdf
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“Into the Light: How Lidar Is Replacing Radar as the Archaeologist’s Map Tool of Choice.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 20 June 2015, www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/20/lidar-radar-archaeology-central-america#:~:text=European%20archaeologists%20in%20the%201970s,%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20scientist%20William%20E.
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Lithodomos, 3 Feb. 2022, lithodomos.com/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
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“Tech Is Speeding up the Search for Ships - and Stories - from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (Rerun).” Marketplace, 27 Dec. 2022, www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/tech-is-speeding-up-the-search-for-ships-and-stories-from-the-trans-atlantic-slave-trade-rerun/.