GDAH Ep69 - Digital Distancing & Remote Work in Archaeology

Go Dig a Hole

Michael Ashley and Leigh Anne Ellison are part of the team at Codifi, a startup that makes mobile apps and databases for archaeology. Prior to joining Codifi, Leigh Anne worked with Digital Antiquity and tDAR, The Digital Archaeological Record - so she’s been on the leading edge of digital archaeology during some interesting times for archaeology as a whole. SPEAKING OF INTERESTING TIMES We’re about a month into the SARS-COV-2 pandemic and most states are operating under stay-at-home orders or similar lockdown measures to limit the spread of coronavirus. While we adjust to incredible disruptions to our lives, there are opportunities to change the course of archaeology through digital tools. Most importantly, we have to be flexible and safe. But social distancing and remote work can be offputting for what it means to be human. So Michael Ashley prefers the terms “digital distancing” or “physical distancing” rather than social distancing. The current environment for archaeology is tricky because work isn’t slowing down for PaleoWest or Codifi, but agencies are struggling to keep up due to social and political obstacles for “business as usual”. In the face of decades of austerity cuts and unchecked disaster capitalism, there’s an urgent need for archaeologists to be able to work safely and smartly. How will digital archaeology and paperless tools secure the legitimacy of the field? Check out this discussion to learn why now is the best time for archaeology to go paperless. Links Support Go Dig a Hole on Patreon: www.patreon.com/godigahole Like Go Dig a Hole on Facebook: www.facebook.com/godigahole Check out Codifi www.codifi.com Check out PaleoWest www.paleowest.com