Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/D000971/1
The development of a soil analysis support system for archaeologists (SASSA)
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor D Davidson, University of Stirling, Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr J Cowie, University of Stirling, Health Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr D Cairns, University of Stirling, Computing Science and Mathematics
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr C Wilson, University of Stirling, Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Stirling, Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Science-Based Archaeology
- Sediment/Sedimentary Processes
- Soil science
- Abstract:
- The archaeological record of human activity in the past is expressed in soils and sediments within which are found artefacts and structures of buildings. These soils and sediments form the bulk of many sites, hence geoarchaeology (the study of archaeological soils and sediments) is an essential part of archaeological study. Geoarchaeology can provide information on past environments, the natural and human processes that have formed an archaeological site, past human activities and site quality in terms of preserving artefacts. Geoarchaeology is, therefore, a complex discipline and is dependent upon specialist subjects drawn, for example, from soil science and geology. Many archaeologists have little detailed experience or training in such subjects, yet the contribution of geoarchaeological analysis to archaeological interpretation can be considerable. Thus, ways have to be found for making archaeologists and commissioning authorities much more aware of the benefits of analysing soils and sediments. This project will develop a web-based system called SASSA (Soil analysis support system for archaeologists). By logging on to SASSA archaeologists will have access to geoarchaeological information that will include case study material, information about analytical techniques matched to archaeological questions, sampling methods and tools to guide field description of soils and interpretation. The objective of SASSA is to make available to archaeologists targeted guidance so that better decisions can be made on field and lab based techniques. Integral to SASSA is the provision of advice both in the field and lab through linking archaeological questions with analytical techniques. SASSA is designed to be interactive to foster much better exchange of experience than has been traditionally the case regarding the application of soil science to archaeology. Two advisory groups will guide the design and testing of SASSA. An academic advisory group will consist of geoarchaeological researchers from the UK, Europe, United States and Australia. They will advise on the scientific content of SASSA and provide case study material. A user advisory group will contain representatives from commercial field units, charitable bodies such as the National Trust and government bodies such as English Heritage. This group represents the potential users of SASSA and will advise on the structure, design and focus of the system. They will also be instrumental in testing the system and recommending improvements. A workshop will be held towards the end of the project when a trial version of SASSA will be presented. SASSA will be designed so that it can be accessed from a desk-based PC and mobile devices, e.g. a PDA or laptop. The system can be navigated through a simple search engine or a series of colour-coded menus and links. A case-based reasoning engine will match archaeologists' enquiries to relevant case studies illustrating previously successful studies, whilst decision making trees will provide advice on the most appropriate techniques and methods to use with reference to sites, questions being asked, and available time and money. SASSA will also include a forum to encourage communication between archaeologists and geoarchaeologists, and a wiki engine, similar to that used by wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org), which will allow registered users to add material. The result will be a system that evolves and changes in response to the needs and experience of archaeologists who use it. It will play a key role in the professional training of archaeologists and agreement has been already made in principle to ensure its longer-term maintenance (e.g. by English Heritage).
- NERC Reference:
- NE/D000971/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- EO Programmes Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Good Ideas Project
This grant award has a total value of £203,884
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £6,471 | £130,077 | £7,499 | £59,837 |
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