JISC – Leaping Hurdles
The VERA Project
Presented by: Prof Mark Baker
ACET, University of Reading
Tel: +44 118 378 8615
E-mail: Mark.Baker@computer.org
Web: http://acet.rdg.ac.uk/~mab
9th June 2009
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Outline
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Aims and objectives of the VERA project.
Digital Devices.
Tools and utilities.
Sustainability.
Summary and Conclusions.
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Using Digital Devices
• The VERA project aimed to produce a fullyfledged virtual research environment for the
archaeological community.
• VERA Aims:
– The overall aim of the project is to assess, enhance and
introduce new tools and technologies that can aid the
archaeological processes of recording, manipulating and
analysing archaeological data.
– Our goal was to create a situation where “the information
flows seamlessly from excavation, through postexcavation to archive and publication”.
– In addition, we created various tools and utilities that
helped the post-excavation research processes.
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Silchester Roman Town
The 'Town Life' Project
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Silchester/VERA Web sites
http://www.silchester.rdg.ac.uk/
http://vera.rdg.ac.uk/
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Silchester – An Overview
• The annual excavation allows us to:
– Study the use of IT in an archaeological context;
– Investigate the tasks carried out within an
excavation;
– Ascertain how and where technologies can be used to
facilitate information flow within a dig;
– Inform the developers how to adapt the tools used in
the trench and for post dig analysis.
• To ensure that the software and tools are
appropriate we are engaging all the on-site team
and the researchers who undertake post
excavation analysis in the usability studies.
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Research: Recording Urban Change
Integrated Archaeological Database (IADB)
• SQL Database, based on MySQL, PHP, Javascript,
AJAX and SVG.
• The IADB provides data repository throughout the
lifespan of archaeological excavation projects.
• THE IADB is used for recording:
– Finds, Contexts, Sets, Groups, Phases, Objects, Images,
Illustrations, Stratigraphy Diagrams, Documents and
Bibliographical references.
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Digital Device Trials
• We have experimented with:
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Hand-held IPAQs – good for querying database,
Ruggedised tablet PCs – sunlight a major problem,
Nokia 800s – OK, but hard to use on-site.
Digimemo pads – useful, but not very robust.
Wireless Web Cams,
Digitial Pens.
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Contexts
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• Patented,
• A tiny camera in the digital pen,
• Tiny dot patterns and grids on the paper,
• Pen moves across the dot patterns and grids,
• Marks, coordinates and relative time points,
• Send the stored sequences to computer.
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Thoughts on the Digital Pens
Pros:
• Pens and paper are relatively cheap,
• Work in a range of weather conditions as ordinary
paper and pencils,
• Reassuringly “low-tech”,
• Integrate well into existing recording methodology,
• Field Code system is very flexible.
Cons:
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Field Code system takes time to learn,
Requires sequential input!
Forms based system could be better,
Formatted Context Forms are expensive,
Limited trial size!
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2008 Excavation Summary
• 591 out of 1352 or 44% of
context cards recorded
with the digital pens.
• Simple training.
• Robust (weather, mud and
student proof).
• Speeds up post-excavation
work (context cards must
otherwise be transcribed).
• Encourages legible
handwriting.
• Paper master copy created in
the trench in case of
computer related disasters.
Digimemo pad
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Digimemo Pad
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They Feel Familiar and Natural
• Feel as comfortable as you normally write with a
regular pen on paper.
• Immediately get both a digital record and a
hardcopy duplicate of your handwritten notes
even when you are on the move.
• Instantly and digitally record your notes, ideas,
sketches, drawings and flowcharts, without
scanning.
• Any ordinary paper or notepad can be applied.
• Only problem was that the out of the four bought,
three failed!
• However, lots of future possibilities though!
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Tools and Utilities
Recycle-Bridge – JSR-168 portlet, used for embedding
Web applications.
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Tools and Utilities
XDB is a system for doing cross-database searches.
Based on Tycho – P2P system with Virtual Registry.
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Tools and Utilities
Arch3D is data visualisation service of the VERA
environment, allows the integration and investigation of the
multi-dimensional datasets obtained from an excavation.
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Sustainability
• Worked with IT Services during VERA project,
established procedures and processes to support IT
and Internet/WiFi on site.
• We have also established a model for archaeological
practice that will be documented, publicised and
passed onto other archaeological communities:
– We believe that this model of archaeological practice will be
embedded into the Silchester excavation for the foreseeable
future.
– This practice includes pre-excavation training, on-site
guidance and help, the availability of the Internet/WiFi onsite, the use of digital devices, and easier and faster
interaction with the IADB.
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Summary
• The digital devices are speeding up the process of
inserting excavation data into the database.
• This means that analysis and research can be
undertaken immediately on the IADB, and publication
are produced more quickly.
• The use of these digital devices means that we have to
train the staff and students before the excavation, but
it having a significant effect.
• Tools and utilities have been useful and are helping the
archaeological community.
• Project was “user driven” – user engagement was very
important during the whole VERA project.
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Conclusions
• User driven design and implementation of tools and
utilities for the project.
• Availability of the Internet and WiFi across the site
is very useful.
• Up front and on-site training, and extensive
documentation helps the archaeologists take up the
digital technologies and various tools more easily.
• Digital pens and Digimemo pads are a success, even
though the latter was not that robust.
• Still cannot find a screen-based digital device that
can be used easily in direct sun light.
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The VERA Project Team
The VERA project has a core team of researchers based at
the University of Reading (UoR), University College London
(UCL), and York Archaeological Trust (YAT). To advise the
project, VERA has a Steering Group made up of experts in the
field of Archaeology, Virtual Research Environments, and the
user community.
Project Manager and Director:
Professor Mark Baker (UoR)
Steering Group:
Dr Stuart Dunn (King's College London)
Mr Steve Gough (University of Reading)
Associate Directors:
Professor Gary Lock (University of Oxford)
Professor Mike Fulford (UoR)
Dr Jeremy Huggett (University of Glasgow)
Ms Amanda Clarke (UoR)
Professor Vince Gaffney (University of
Mr Mike Rains (YAT)
Birmingham)
Dr Claire Warwick (UCL)
Professor Julian Richards (University of York)
Dr Melissa Terras (UCL)
Dr Robert Allan (Daresbury Laboratory)
Mr Edmund Lee (English Heritage)
Research Assistants:
Mr Chris Brayne (Wessex Archaeology)
Dr Hugo Mills (UoR)
Ms Emma O’Riordan (UoR)
http://vera.reading.ac.uk
Ms Claire Fisher (UCL)
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