# Redefining Archaeological Research: Digital Tools, Challenges, and Integration in Advancing Methods
## 3 Types of Digital Tools
### Mobile Applications and Digital Recording Systems  
Mobile applications have significantly transformed archaeological studies by providing user-friendly interfaces and time-efficient solutions that enhance data collection, analysis, and communication among researchers [69; 70]. These technological advancements streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and promote collaboration in the field.  
Traditionally, researchers documented their observations in field notebooks, recording detailed descriptions of the landscape and the artefacts by hand. These notes were later transcribed into formal reports. Site locations and features were marked on paper maps, and photographs were manually stored. This approach often hindered the analysis of large datasets, integration of multiple data sources, and effectiveness of field data with other information.  
Mobile devices now enable the direct digital recording of archaeological finds and precise mapping of artefact locations using built-in GPSs (Figure 17) [70; 71]. This process significantly increases the volume of data collected and allows for immediate integration into ongoing projects. Such capabilities are critical for the digital documentation of cultural sites. As highlighted in [PERSON]'s study [9]: \"_Archaeological recording must allow excavating archaeologists to draw reliable inferences about the site and to facilitate the use of those observations by others for future research_\".  
Figure 16: Facade of Castle of Didymoteichon, created with drone images, 2024. Retrieved from the project “Investigation of possibilities and methods of restoration of Didymoteichon Castle – Research for analysis and documentation—Integration of the monument into the city environment”, funded by the Greek Ministry of Culture and implemented by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Source: [[https://qa.auth.gr/en/project/75958](https://qa.auth.gr/en/project/75958)]([https://qa.auth.gr/en/project/75958](https://qa.auth.gr/en/project/75958)) (accessed on 25 December 2024), unpublished data—own processing, 2024.  
A new method for digitally recording features and artefacts during field surveys integrates advanced geospatial tools, mobile devices, and data management software, significantly streamlining and enhancing data collection [71, 72]. An example of this technique, using modern mobile devices and Internet connectivity, is demonstrated in the MapFarm project [73]. This method was developed and tested at prehistoric sites in Aegean Thrace (Figure 18), yielding significant improvements in both the fieldwork process and the subsequent analysis of collected data.  
Each team member uses their own phone, allowing the system to scale seamlessly for teams of any size. These applications export data in formats compatible with archaeological software, facilitating smooth transitions to analysis workflows. Additionally, they use the phone's GPS to record locations and display the user's position on a digital map. This approach not only streamlines data collection but also promotes transparency and efficient data sharing among researchers.  
Figure 17: A user-friendly mobile application for digitally recording archaeological sites. As the team members walk across the field, each time they spot an archaeological find, they can mark the location on the application. Screenshots of the mobile app: (**a**) home screen, (**b**) available forms for download in the MapFarm project, (**c**) main recording form rendered in the fieldwalker’s smartphone, (**d**) dynamic digital map during fieldwalking. Source: [70].  
Figure 18: Testing prehistoric sites in Aegean Thrace in Greece. Map showing the distribution of surface finds dating to different periods. Source: [73].