For those of you interested in the use of computing in archaeology, this free downloadable book may be of interest:

Archaeological Computing, by Harrison Eiteljorg, II, with GIS chapter by W. Fredrick Limp - a PDF publication of the Center for the Study of Architecture

See archcomp.csanet.org for more information.

Archaeological Computing provides an introduction to digital technologies for archaeologists. It discusses a variety of general computing issues, with special emphases on some matters of more importance to scholars, especially archaeologists, than typical computer users. It covers three critical data-recording technologies for archaeological projects - database management, GIS, and CAD, centering on organizing data effectively so that the capabilities of the software - and the utility of the software for archaeologists - can be maximized. Digital data protection and preservation is covered as well.

Abbreviated Table of Contents:

• Introduction - Why?
• I - Some Basics
• II - Computing and Computers
• III - Recording Data about Objects, Loci, Trenches, Features, from Archaeological Projects: Databases and Database Management Systems
• IV - Combining Maps and Data: Geographic Information Systems
• V - Modeling Objects, Loci, Trenches, Features, from Archaeological Projects: Computer-Aided Design Software
• VI - Miscellany: Digital Images, Audio Recordings, Videos, and Text
• VII - Protecting and Preserving the Archaeological Record
• VIII - Conclusion

Archaeological Computing is available through archcomp.csanet.org, at no cost, as a PDF download.

There are two versions of the book, one for standard printing on one side of the paper only and the other for duplex printing. The text is the same.