# digital archaeology

> archaeological sub-discipline

**Wikidata**: [Q39046232](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39046232)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_archaeology)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/digital-archaeology

## Summary
Digital archaeology is an archaeological sub-discipline that applies digital technologies and computational methods to archaeological research, analysis, and visualization. It encompasses computer-based simulations of excavations and the broader field of archaeoinformatics, which integrates computer science with archaeological practice.

## Key Facts
- Digital archaeology is classified as an archaeological sub-discipline and a subclass of both archaeoinformatics and archaeology
- The field has aliases in multiple languages including Japanese (デジタル・アーキオロジー, ディジタル・アーキオロジー) and Chinese (数字考古学)
- It is facet_of the digital humanities and has a Wikipedia title of "Digital archaeology"
- The field has sitelink_count of 6 and is available in 6 Wikipedia languages: el, en, fa, fr, pt, ru
- It has a Google Knowledge Graph ID of /g/11fxb87npb and is referenced in the Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition) with ID 218864
- The ANZSRC 2020 FOR ID is 430106 with qualifiers for Digital archaeology
- It is referenced in the Krugosvet article "istoriya/DISTANTSIONNIE_ISSLEDOVANIYA.html"

## FAQs
### Q: What is the relationship between digital archaeology and archaeoinformatics?
A: Digital archaeology is a subclass of archaeoinformatics, which is defined as Computer Science in or for Archaeology. The field encompasses computer-based simulations of archaeological excavations and broader computational approaches to archaeological research.

### Q: Who are notable figures in digital archaeology?
A: Hubert Mara, an Austrian computer scientist born in 1975, is a prominent figure in archaeoinformatics, which encompasses digital archaeology. He specializes in the intersection of computer science and archaeological applications.

### Q: What languages is digital archaeology content available in?
A: Digital archaeology content is available in six Wikipedia languages: Greek (el), English (en), Persian (fa), French (fr), Portuguese (pt), and Russian (ru).

## Why It Matters
Digital archaeology represents a crucial evolution in archaeological methodology, enabling researchers to process, analyze, and visualize archaeological data in ways that were previously impossible. By applying computational methods and digital technologies to archaeological practice, this field has revolutionized how we understand and interpret archaeological sites and artifacts. The integration of computer science with archaeology allows for more sophisticated data analysis, 3D modeling, and virtual reconstructions of archaeological contexts, making archaeological knowledge more accessible and comprehensible to both researchers and the public. This technological approach also enables the preservation of archaeological information in digital formats, ensuring that valuable data remains available even when physical sites are threatened by development or environmental factors.

## Notable For
- Integration of computer science methodologies with traditional archaeological practice
- Development of virtual archeology techniques including computer-based simulations of archaeological excavations
- Contribution to the broader field of digital humanities through archaeological applications
- Creation of multilingual resources available in at least six Wikipedia languages
- Recognition in major reference works including the Encyclopedia of China and Krugosvet

## Body
### Core Definition and Classification
Digital archaeology operates at the intersection of archaeology and computer science, functioning as both an archaeological sub-discipline and a specialized application of computational methods to archaeological research. The field is formally classified as a subclass of archaeoinformatics, which encompasses the broader application of computer science to archaeological problems.

### Technical Applications
The field includes virtual archeology, which specifically involves computer-based simulations of archaeological excavations. These simulations allow researchers to create detailed models of excavation processes, test hypotheses about site formation and deposition, and develop more effective excavation strategies before physical work begins.

### International Scope and Recognition
Digital archaeology has achieved international recognition with content available in multiple languages and references in major encyclopedic works. The field's presence in the Encyclopedia of China and its documentation in Krugosvet demonstrate its global significance. The availability of content in six Wikipedia languages indicates broad international interest and application.

### Research Infrastructure
The field is supported by formal research classification systems, including its designation with ANZSRC 2020 FOR ID 430106. This classification provides a framework for academic research, funding allocation, and institutional organization within the broader context of archaeological and digital humanities research.

### Key Practitioners
The field benefits from contributions by specialists like Hubert Mara, whose work in archaeoinformatics bridges computer science and archaeological applications. Such practitioners bring expertise in both technical computing methodologies and archaeological theory, enabling the development of sophisticated digital tools for archaeological research.

## References

1. [Source](https://vocabs.ardc.edu.au/viewById/316)