Virtual Environments for
Research in Archaeology
VERA
is a Collaborative Project
 JISC VRE II funded project
 Computer Science
School of Systems Engineering,
University of Reading
 Aims to produce a fully-fledged
virtual research environment
for the archaeological
community
http://vera.rdg.ac.uk/
 Archaeology
Department of Archaeology,
University of Reading
The York Archaeological Trust
 User Requirements
School of Library, Archive and
Information Studies,
University College London
User Requirements
”Publication after publication reaches the same conclusion:
that technology is important but insufficient on its own for
the success of ICT-enabled projects. Again and again
technology projects fall down not because the hardware is
unstable, but because different systems’ architectures
have been poorly scoped and designed. Without good
change management and careful thought given to the
people using the systems as well as the technology itself,
ICT-enabled projects are unlikely to be successful…”
Jones, A. and Williams, L. 2005
How ICT? : managing at the frontline
London: Work Foundation
The Silchester Dig - the testbed for VERA
 Research
& training
excavation
 Now in its 12th season
 Dig operates at a vast
scale (55x55m trench)
The Silchester Dig
 Focuses on one part of
the large Roman town
at Silchester
 Aims to trace the site's
development from its
origins before the
Roman Conquest to its
abandonment in the
fifth century A.D.
The Silchester Dig - the testbed for VERA
 Utilises the skills of a
wide range of outside
experts
 Numerous student
diggers and
supervisors
 Finds specialists
record artefacts on
paper
 Also using Integrated
Archaeology Database
(IADB)
The Site Crew
The Paper Archive
6998 contexts
29175 finds
5048 photos
Trialling Technology on Site
Can the use of digital
technology speed up
data entry into IADB?
2007 Season
 WiFi
 Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
 Logitech io2 Digital Pens
 Digital cameras

Lessons learned
Provide separate training in use of ICTs
Pay attention to established practices and workflows



Finds team
Supervision of students
Benefits of good data entry need to be evident
Don't be absolute about technologies



Listen to the users!
What they want to use might not be what you like