This BA thesis shows where artificial intelligence (AI) and archaeology meet, by presenting a case study that is inspired by the work of Brandsen and Koole, 2022. The case study focuses on the...Show moreThis BA thesis shows where artificial intelligence (AI) and archaeology meet, by presenting a case study that is inspired by the work of Brandsen and Koole, 2022. The case study focuses on the multi-label classification and textual analysis techniques to further data interpretation in archaeology. By building on the foundation laid by previous research, the thesis shows the potential of AI in archaeological research. The thesis discusses both theoretical perspectives on AI in archaeology and practical applications. I focus on the build-up of the use of AI in archaeology till the modern day and further reflect on the accessibility of the multilabel classification tool through the case study.Show less
This research aims to study the trade networks of the Roman period in three different Italian regions: the Pontine region, the Potenza valley and the Metapontine region. A database was created...Show moreThis research aims to study the trade networks of the Roman period in three different Italian regions: the Pontine region, the Potenza valley and the Metapontine region. A database was created previously, consisting of the compiled data on ceramics sherds encountered during three surveys in each respective region. Assessing where these ceramics were produced, and how the different provenances are distributed throughout the landscape, gives insight into how the regions connected to trade routes, and how ceramics imported along these routes were distributed throughout the landscape. To this end, the proportions of ceramic provenances were visualised for each region and subsequently broken down for the Archaic, Republican, Imperial and Late Antique periods. The patterns observed in provenance proportions and sherd distributions across regions suggest that different regions were affected differently by the changes associated with the increased integration of the Roman economy in the Imperial Period. These changes appear to be reflected in the increased consumption of imported African ceramics. This is in contrast to more locally produced Italian sherds, which maintain a more consistent presence. These trends can be observed to a certain degree in all regions, although the changes are particularly pronounced in the Pontine region. These results lead to the following tentative theory: the Pontine region, as a more centrally located destination, was better connected to more distant trade routes, and thus affected more readily by the large-scale societal and political shifts of the Imperial period. Another notable observation is the increased variance in sherds provenances in the Potenza valley as compared to the Pontine region. This could be potentially explained by the theory that the Potenza valley, as a more isolated and decentral region, relied more on more “off the cuff” trade, while the Pontine region relied more on centrally organised, “streamlined” trade networks. Finally, ceramics imported from outside the Italian peninsula tended to be found at or near the coast in all regions, indicating that ceramics traded along more distant routes were exchanged less in intraregional networks extending further inland. Despite multiple weaknesses, which were mainly related to the necessary standardisation of the database and the resulting loss of detail, this research has granted new insight into the discussion around the degree of integration in the Roman economy and paints a more nuanced image that differs from region to region.Show less
The purpose of this thesis is to find out if augmented reality can improve people’s knowledge about archaeology. First of all there is some research about what augmented reality is and the...Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to find out if augmented reality can improve people’s knowledge about archaeology. First of all there is some research about what augmented reality is and the technology that can be used to create a successful augmented reality application. Augmented reality as it is often used on smartphones in the form of layar applications can be seen some sort of pseudo augmented reality, while real augmented reality applications require much more advanced technology to integrate virtual objects into real world images, and to make more precise tracking possible. Furthermore there are some projects that combine archaeology and augmented reality described in this thesis, with the purpose of finding out which techniques are used and what users think of these techniques and the augmented reality applications in general. Most augmented reality applications have been evaluated, but these evaluations were mostly technical, to find out if an application worked correctly and if there was any room for improvement. There is little information about user experiences with augmented reality applications and the techniques they use. It is only known that people like augmented reality because it is fun and new. There has also been some research into other possibilities of combining archaeology and augmented reality. There are plenty of these possibilities, since most augmented reality applications today are pseudo augmented reality applications, fast to create and cheap layar applications on smartphones. There still are a lot of possibilities in creating real augmented reality applications that integrate virtual objects instead of superimposing them on real world images. These augmented reality applications should also be more focused on archaeology instead of consisting for a large part of historical data.Show less
