Space - Time - Object: Digital methods in archaeology

This workshop addresses digital research practices in the archaeology with a strong focus on practical fieldwork.

The first part of the workshop will be dedicated to the use and the possibilities of Geographic Information Systems in gathering and analyzing spatial datasets. The second part will focus on the fast and effective use of 3D-software for recording and reconstructing features and artifacts.

Both courses will be based on free or open-software to give the participants the possibility to incorporate the learned techniques in their own projects without the constraint of expensive software-licenses.

Course 1 – Geographic Information Systems

In this course the participants will learn how to use Geographic Information Systems in archaeological projects from data acquisition and data analysis to ready maps.

The course will focus on 6 main fields:

1. Basics of GIS
2. Introduction into the open-source software QGIS
3. Working with geodata
4. Working with maps
5. Analysis
6. Presentation

Course 2 – 3D

In the second offered workshop participants will learn how to use low-cost systems to produce and edit 3D-models of artifacts and features with the structure-from-motion technology. This will be followed by an introduction into the modelling and texturing of 3D-architecture models based on plans, pictures and descriptions.

This course will focus on 5 fields:

1. Basics of the structure-from-motion technology
2. Practical introduction into the technology
3. Editing and texturing models
4. Basics of architectural reconstruction
5. Setting up a common project with the group