Virtual Environments for Research in Archaeology  JISC VRE II funded project  Aims to produce a fully-fledged virtual research environment for the archaeological community VERA is a Collaborative Project  Computer Science School of Systems Engineering, University of Reading  Archaeology Department of Archaeology, University of Reading The York Archaeological Trust  User Requirements School of Library, Archive and Information Studies, University College London

User Requirements ”Publication after publication reaches the same conclusion: that technology is important but insufficient on its own for the success of ICT-enabled projects. Again and again technology projects fall down not because the hardware is unstable, but because different systems’ architectures have been poorly scoped and designed. Without good change management and careful thought given to the people using the systems as well as the technology itself, ICT-enabled projects are unlikely to be successful…” Jones, A. and Williams, L How ICT? : managing at the frontline London: Work Foundation

The Silchester Dig - the testbed for VERA  R esearch & training excavation  Now in its 12 th season  Dig operates at a vast scale (55x55m trench)‏

The Silchester Dig  Focuses on one part of the large Roman town at Silchester  Aims to trace the site's development from its origins before the Roman Conquest to its abandonment in the fifth century A.D.

The Silchester Dig - the testbed for VERA  Utilises the skills of a wide range of outside experts  Numerous student diggers and supervisors  Finds specialists record artefacts on paper  Also using Integrated Archaeology Database (IADB)‏ The Site Crew  6998 contexts  finds  5048 photos The Paper Archive

Trialling Technology on Site Can the use of digital technology speed up data entry into IADB? 2007 Season  WiFi  Nokia N800 Internet Tablet  Logitech io2 Digital Pens  Digital cameras

 Lessons learned  Provide separate training in use of ICTs  Pay attention to established practices and workflows  Finds team  Supervision of students  Benefits of good data entry need to be evident  Don't be absolute about technologies  Listen to the users!  What they want to use might not be what you like