A friend of mine Jeff Watts-Roy (a reformed archaeologist now working in
business) is interested in developing a commercial version of a web database
application for historic artifacts that he and I have been developing for
the University of Kentucky.  The database would be accessible via the web,
including data entry and search and query capabilities.  Thus, data entry
and searches can take place anywhere there is an internet connection and an
authorized user.  The database would be stored with a secure database
management company or "cloud" such as many businesses use for their online
retail.  The system can be individually designed to accommodate any
taxonomic system that is used for classifying artifacts.  The system being
developed for UK is designed to be free for those who want to use it in
order to build a statewide database.  However, Jeff is interested in knowing
what interest there might be from the archaeological community at large in a
commercial version of the system which would be sold as yearly or monthly
user subscriptions.  Given that archaeologists tend to be entrenched in
their own ways of working with and managing their data, I told Jeff that I
would check and see what people think before he goes any further with the
idea.  So, if anyone has any comments or questions I will be glad to pass
them along.  I think it would be interesting to hear perspectives on using
current web technology in managing our data, plus I think this raises some
questions about access to archaeological data.

 

Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give.

 

Jay

 

M. Jay Stottman

Staff Archaeologist

Kentucky Archaeological Survey