The written record

The traditional, or pre-matrix, approach to excavation recording, consisting of written descriptive passages, short notes and annotated sketches in day books and diaries, produces a record which is difficult to store and analyse on a computer. To accomplish this the information must be logical in both its structure and its intended meaning. The beginnings of the move towards achieving this can be seen in the introduction of the pro-forma recording sheet; indeed, there is a close relationship between the philosophy and structuring of pro-formas and the principles and use of database software. The tension inherent within this, however, is whether or not the structured recording required by the technology inhibits the archaeology. Indeed, during the early days of database software and limited hardware capabilities that resulted in enforced coding and reductive approaches to data description, this was an issue. This has been largely resolved by the capabilities of today’s technologies and the increased flexibility available within modern database structures. In fact, the circle is closing as Hodder (1999) suggests a move back to digital site notebooks and more descriptive accounts integrated within the new technologies.