They spend their allotted budget on the project and begin generating data. They uncover stone scrapers and other tools. Intricate maps, pictures and diagrams point out a variety of possibilities, such as how the changing color of the soil may be a clue to locating certain artifacts. In the end, students must analyze what they came up with and write a final report summarizing their conclusions. We wouldn't dream of that.
Nothing replaces the excitement of discovery during real field work.
This adds some fun, but also gives some real insight into the process. And the technological aspect of it may encourage a few more people to explore archaeology. Technology has become a part of everything we do. Designed for introductory archaeology courses, it will first be used as OSU in the fall of 2000, Roth said.