Towards a true automatic archaeology: integrating technique and theory

In: Posluschny, A. ; Lambers, K. ; Herzog, I. (Hrsgg.): Layers of Perception. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA), Berlin, April 2–6, 2007. Koll. Vor- u. Frühgesch. 10. Bonn 2008, pp. 413-417

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Abstract

The question of whether it is possible to automate the scientific process is of both great theoretical interest and increasing practical importance because, in many scientific areas, data is being generated much faster than they can be effectively analyzed. I describe here a virtual robotic system which can be physically implemented that applies techniques from artificial intelligence to carry out cycles of scientific experimentation. I am exploring an analogy with the idea of “intelligent” machine, to understand the way we, archaeologists, think. If a computer can be programmed to perform human-like tasks it offers a “model” of the human activity that is less open to argument than the empirical explanations that are normal in philosophy. The purpose is to understand how intelligent behavior in archaeology is possible.