CAA 2015 Keep the Revolution Going. Proceedings of the 43rd Conference on Computer Application in Archaeology

This volume brings together all the successful peer-reviewed papers that have been submitted for the proceedings of the 43rd conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology that took place in Siena (Italy) from March 31st to April 2nd 2015. The number of people who signed on for CAA 2015 really took us by surprise: 550 delegates registered for the conference, from many more places than we would ever have anticipated. Altogether, within the four days of the conference 280 papers were presented in 48 sections divided into ten macro topics, 113 posters, 7 roundtables and 12 workshops. That number, in itself, has prompted a thought or two. Above all it says to us that CAA is very much alive and kicking, that it is in robust good health, and that it remains a wholly relevant force in the scientific community, fully engaged with the questions of the day, and a continuing focal point for the profession. All of that speaks well for the motto of CAA 2015: KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING! archaeology are deeply embedded within our universities. This is all good, of course, but we must not assume that the task has been completed. An intrinsic revolutionary instinct towards technological development has been awakened. But it will only survive by virtue of the results that it brings about. Or using the words of our Chairman Prof Gary Lock: ‘Computers not only change the way we do things, but more importantly they change the way we think about what we do and why we do it’. The general thrust of this statement can be summed up and reinforced by recalling a quote from the philosopher Don Ihde, who has argued we should never forget that all technologies should be regarded as ‘cultural instruments’, which as well as strategies and methodologies implemented in our researches are also ‘non-neutral’. So KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING! is a motto that lays stress on the need to maintain innovation in archaeology through technological advances. But innovation must have at its root the fostering of critical thought and the framing of new archaeological questions. So there is much work still to be done, and fresh challenges to be faced in the months, years and decades ahead. One final thought. The date of this conference, and most of all the opening ceremony, has not come about by chance. The 30th of March, for the University of Siena and in particular for the human sciences and archaeology, represents a sad but enduring anniversary. Eight years ago on this day we lost a key figure in the Italian archaeological community of the last 50 years; a man who had an extraordinary influence on many aspects of medieval and archaeological studies. Not least we call to mind his role in the promotion and development of digital archaeology. Our thoughts and memories go therefore to our friend and mentor Professor Riccardo Francovich. He always inspired us to seek new horizons and without him we doubt that this conference would have found its way to Siena. Although the significance of our motto is obvious, we think it is worth some thoughts. Few would deny that in the past 30 years or so, digital technologies have profoundly revolutionised archaeology – in the office and laboratory, in the field and in the classroom. The progressive introduction of digital techniques in the archaeological process has of course led to a general increase in efficiency. But perhaps more importantly it has provided a spur to the discussion of methodology and through that has strongly influenced not only the way we go about things but also the outcomes that we have been able to achieve. The pioneering phase in the application of digital techniques in archaeological research has clearly been fruitful and today computer applications such as GIS, databases, remote sensing and spatial analysis as well as virtual and cyber task has been completed. An intrinsic revolutionary instinct towards technological development has been awakened. But it will only survive by virtue of the results that it brings about. Or using the words of our Chairman Prof Gary Lock: ‘Computers not only change the way we do things, but more importantly they change the way we think about what we do and why we do it’. The general thrust of this statement can be summed up and reinforced by recalling a quote from the philosopher Don Ihde, who has argued we should never forget that all technologies should be regarded as ‘cultural instruments’, which as well as strategies and methodologies implemented in our researches are also ‘non-neutral’. So KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING! is a motto that lays stress on the need to maintain innovation in archaeology through technological advances. But innovation must have at its root the fostering of critical thought and the framing of new archaeological questions. So there is much work still to be done, and fresh challenges to be faced in the months, years and decades ahead. One final thought. The date of this conference, and most of all the opening ceremony, has not come about by chance. The 30th of March, for the University of Siena and in particular for the human sciences and archaeology, represents a sad but enduring anniversary. Eight years ago on this day we lost a key figure in the Italian archaeological community of the last 50 years; a man who had an extraordinary influence on many aspects of medieval and archaeological studies. Not least we call to mind his role in the promotion and development of digital archaeology. Our thoughts and memories go therefore to our friend and mentor Professor Riccardo Francovich. He always inspired us to seek new horizons and without him we doubt that this conference would have found its way to Siena.