The August 1994 issue of Digging In provides an overview of
ArchNet.
ArchNet is an electronic forum for archaeologists. Users have
access to data, reports, graphics, images, and analytical
programs. The ArchNet system was developed by Thomas Plunkett
and Jonathan Lizee from the Anthropology Department, at the
University of Connecticut, as part of their research in the use
of Internet resource development for archaeology.
Archaeology and the Information Highway
The Internet is literally a network of networks. Computers
located at tens of thousands of institutions and commercial sites
world-wide are linked together and can share information using a
protocol known as the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web was
developed at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) in
Switzerland in the late 1980s. It allows for the transfer of
large quantities of data quickly, making the use of hypertext
possible. Hypertext is a way of linking text, data, still
images, and full motion video in a single presentation. A
variety of academic disciplines have utilized World Wide Web
technology to construct on-line exhibits and electronic journals.
Resources at UCONN
Using the World Wide Web server at the University of
Connecticut's Homer Babbidge Library, ArchNet is able to provide
information and graphics related to archaeology, cultural
resource management, and historic preservation in the
northeastern United States. As of May 25, the ArchNet system was
being accessed on average of 2000 times per week. Who is
accessing ArchNet? Students and researchers from almost every
state in the US and 26 countries in North America, Europe, and
Asia. In addition, US government agencies, military facilities,
and major technology and communications corporations also are
regular visitors to the system. The feedback from users has been
enormously positive and have encouraged us to add more data and
resources to the system. The resources offered on the ArchNet
system are used by both professionals in cultural resource
management and other people who are just curious about
archaeology.
What's available?
Current offerings on ArchNet include a searchable index of
cultural research management reports for each Connecticut town,
the Digging In newsletter from the Connecticut Historical
Commission and the Office of Connecticut State Archaeology,
Preservation Advocate - the newsletter of the Massachusetts
Historical Commission, a guide to the Massachusetts State
Archives, and a variety of images of archaeological specimens
generated by graduate students in Anthropology at the University
of Connecticut. New material is constantly being added.
ArchNet also offers direct "links" to other
resources on the Internet useful in archaeology and historic
preservation. We offer direct links to the National
Archaeological Database, the U.S. Geological Survey, and other
servers dedicated to archaeology and anthropology at the
Australian National University, University of Michigan (Near
Eastern and Classical Archaeology), and the University of Georgia
(archeology of the southeastern US).
Subject Areas
- Botanical studies - This area is under construction. This area
will contain reports and images related plant remains.
- Ethnohistory - This area will include primary and
secondary documents and images related to the Native American
tribes of southern New England.
- Experimental (virtual classroom at UCONN) - This area is used to
provide information and outlines for classes in Anthropology at
the University of Connecticut. Also includes announcements from
UCONN Anthropology Department.
- Faunal analysis - Currently under development is a catalogue of
histological bone thin sections provided by David R. George
(UCONN). This resource will eventually contain a comparative
collection of faunal material which can be accessed from any
World Wide Web client.
- Geomorphology and archaeological sediments - We are attempting to
build a section related to geo-archeology and a visual data base
of glacial land form images.
- Lithic analysis - A visual catalogue is being developed of
diagnostic projectile points, tools, and other lithics.
- Ceramics - This section includes a catalogue of prehistoric
ceramics from southern New England. Images and type descriptions
of pottery in hypertext format.
- CRM (Cultural Resource Management) - We are currently developing
Internet resources for State Historic Preservation Offices in
Connecticut and Massachusetts. Included are documents from the
Office of State Archaeologist (CT) Inventory of CRM reports /
Connecticut Historical Commission Newsletter of the Massachusetts
Historical Commission Guide to the Built Environment:
Massachusetts State Archives
- Surveys - Regional studies in New England prehistory, research
reports, and topical bibliographies are found here.
- Software - Currently available are Point- Projectile point
analysis program by Tara Prindle. Sampler- Archaeological
sampling simulation by Brian Jones. Forager- Hunter-gatherer
foraging simulation by Brian Jones. Calib- Pointer to the
radiocarbon calibration program by Stuiver and Reimer at the
University of Washington.
- Site excavation reports - We are currently offering a hypertext
report on a late Paleoindian site in Connecticut by Brian Jones
(UCONN). This will be expanded to include images and documents
on southern New England prehistoric sites.
- Topics related to the use of the Internet for anthropologists and
archaeologists- Included here are FAQs (Frequently asked
questions), the World E-mail Directory for Anthropology (WEDA) by
Hugh Jarvis (University of Buffalo) and a guide to Internet
Resources in Historic Preservation by Peter Stott (TUFTS).
Submitting Material
We encourage local, state, and federal agencies to submit
material which would be of interest to both professionals in
cultural resource management and the general public. Submissions
and queries regarding the ArchNet should be directed to:
Jonathan Lizee/Thomas Plunkett, Department of Anthropology,
U-176, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2137.
Bitnet/Internet:
ceramics@uconnvm.uconn.edu (Lizee)
tomp@spirit.lib.uconn.edu (Plunkett)
archnet@spirit.lib.uconn.edu