Conceptualising eScience for Archaeology with Digital Infrastructures and Socio-Technical Dynamics

Abstract

The paper introduces the concept of Digital Infrastructure (DI) and the associated notion of Socio- Technical Dynamics to archaeology. DI conceptualization of technology goes beyond the ‘technology as tool’ notion prevalent in archaeology by acknowledging the process of digitalization and socio-technical dynamics in integrating technologies into expanding configurations. We propose DIs for analysing archaeology in the eScience era, and as an illustration we discuss the paradox of control and change that concretizes for example in information models and standards. Standards have a central role in enhancing interoperability and ensuring the future use of data. The socio-technical dynamics of DIs recognizes standards together with technologies and users as networked constituents of DIs. In cultural heritage and archaeology, standards are emerging as global infrastructure components. We discuss how technology and standards as controlling mechanisms have implications for archaeological research practices and scientific procedures. Research into these mechanisms can guide designers, managers, and policymakers.Godkänd; 2014; Bibliografisk uppgift: Oikarinen, Teija and Helena Karasti (2014) Conceptualising eScience for Archaeology with Digital Infrastructures and Socio-Technical Dynamics. In Graeme Earl, Tim Sly, Angeliki Chrysanthi, Patricia Murrieta-Flores, Constantinos Papadopoulos, Iza Romanowska and David Wheatley (Eds,): Archaeology in the Digital Era, Volume II. e-Papers from the 40th Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, Southampton, 26-30 March 2012. Amsterdam University Press. ISBN: 9789089646637. Pp. 558-568. ; 20141215 (karhel