December 11, 2008

Another way we use photography: documentation of archaeological artifacts

ABOVE: Biface, San Diego County, CA.

Many archaeologists use photography to document archaeological artifacts. In a way, we create new artifacts to represent the already existing "real" artifacts, and then we archive the whole lot. Of course, photographic artifacts are easier to store, and easier to use in Powerpoint presentations, among other things. Still, the process is pretty interesting...there are the artifacts and then the photo-artifacts, and all of them are studied, analyzed, and moved through systems of organization and meaning.

*The above photograph is one that I took. I know, I know...it's too artistic. There should be a scale or something to make everyone happy. I like it as it is.

No comments: