Archaeology in the information age: theoretical and practical aspects of archaeological outreach in the past and present

Thesis

Digital technologies are transforming how archaeology is communicated to the public. In the Information Age, communication channels are saturated with information, creating competition between scholarly disciplines for attention. Some fields are more successful than others. The main objective of this study is to assess the historical and contemporary practice of archaeological outreach and test the utility of using web applications for outreach purposes.

The evolution of archaeological communication, digital outreach effectiveness, and the feasibility of a structured web application for diverse audiences are explored. Furthermore, a theoretical framework for information flow in archaeology and its digital context was established to analyse outreach effectiveness. The study involved developing and testing an outreach web application through a structured trial run, incorporating historical research and gathering quantitative and qualitative data via questionnaires and analytical cookies. The study revealed the historical reliance of archaeological communication on static and episodic media, evident at the Palaeolithic site Eartham Pit, Boxgrove (West Sussex, UK) and other historically prominent archaeological sites. Importantly, web applications have significant untapped potential for conducting outreach. Additionally, the project confirmed the feasibility of making an all-encompassing application and producing a structured template for building applications optimised for favourable reception by professional and non-professional users. Trial run results indicate strong support for web applications in archaeological outreach, with interactive maps rated as the most useful feature. Notably, professionals and non-professionals differed in content expectations in web application medium.

The findings highlight the benefits of using web applications for archaeology, emphasising their ability to increase reach, engagement, and accessibility. Integrating web applications into archaeological outreach strategies offers a potent means to communicate research, bridge the professional-public divide, and sustain interest in the discipline. Future research should focus on expanding AI-driven content generation, immersive multimedia integration, and multilingual accessibility to enhance digital archaeological outreach further.

Authors: Mlinarević, J

• Alternative title: Archaeology in the information age
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-vebbpda5r
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: public engagement in archaeology; public archaeology; ArchAeoApp; archaeological communication; geospatial heritage mapping; digital heritage applications; web-based archaeological platforms; digital archaeology; archaeological outreach; multivocal heritage interpretation; interactive archaeological data visualisation
• Subjects: Archaeology; Application software; History in mass media; Outreach programs in history