Hi Lu Ann and all hist-archers -- 

Based on my own experience (which does not include importing data,
unfortunately), I would recommend the program "Stratify," available at
http://www.stratify.privat.t-online.de/ -- developed by Irmela Herzog,
whose contact information is available at that site. 

I've found it to be an excellent program, because of the following
reasons: 
1) rather than being "drawn" by hand, Stratify uses a database as the
underlying structure for the matrix; stratigraphic relationships are
entered using a series of mathematical symbols, and then this
information is checked via a built-in algorithm and used to generate the
matrix, removing the difficult step of drawing the matrix _correctly_  
2) because of this database, Stratify works really well as a data
management tool for your stratigraphic information, in addition to
generating clean, correct matrices. we've used it very successfully for
excavations involving hundreds of stratigraphic layers, in a way that
wouldn't have been possible without the use of a database
3) the actual visual layout of the matrix is fairly consistent with
Harris's own drawings, which means that your matrices will be
understandable (i.e. readable) by everyone who is used to drawing them
by hand. a few of the other programs out there use diagonal lines and
other slightly wacky visuals. 
4) Stratify, like most of the other programs available, is freeware,
meaning anyone with a computer and the internet has access to it. this
makes it incredibly accessible to everyone, and means sharing your data
(the matrix but also your stratigraphic database) is much easier.
Stratify also supports output in a number of different formats (DXF,
HPGL, SVG, and MapInfo, among others)

Regarding importing data, I checked the program's manual, and
unfortunately it doesn't seem as though Stratify allows for much in the
way of importation -- only files from ArchEd or the BASP program (see
below) are currently supported. Herzog does note, however, that other
file formats will be supported in new versions -- it might be worth
emailing her to see if she can help you out. 

FYI, here are the websites for all of the available Harris Matrix
programs that I've been able to find so far; I'd be interested to hear
if anyone knows of additional programs out there -

freeware: 
Stratify - http://www.stratify.privat.t-online.de/ 
ArchEd - http://www.ads.tuwien.ac.at/ArchEd/ 
BASP - http://www.uni-koeln.de/~al001/basp.html 
jnet - http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/people/staff/nsr/arch/jnet/ 

software: 
Stratigraf - http://www.proleg.com/pstratigraf.htm (btwn 60-285 euros/6
months, depending on what package you buy)

aloha
~liz

Liz Clevenger, M.A.
Archaeological Collections Specialist
The Presidio Trust
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(415) 561-5086 (office)
(415) 716-6786 / #137 (cell)
(415) 561-5089 (fax)

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lu
Ann De Cunzo
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 11:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Harris matrix program?

Greetings, everyone!

We're looking for a Harris matrix software program that will allow us to

import stratigraphic context data from a relational database (customized

based on OpenInsight) to generate the matrix.

Recommendations based on your experiences are welcome, off-line if you 
prefer.

Thanks in advance for your assistance,
Lu Ann

Lu Ann De Cunzo, Ph.D, RPA
Professor
Department of Anthropology
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
302.831.1854
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