ABSTRACT
In the previous six chapters we have looked at the details of computing in different areas of archaeological endeavour. Through focusing on survey, excavation, postexcavation, specialists, Cultural Resource Management, landscapes and communication it could be argued that the use of computers is becoming endemic within the discipline. But to what extent is this the result of wider developments? Social and economic theorists talk of new global structures characterised by information and globalisation while cultural theorists identify cyber-culture as an important redefinition of rapidly changing social relationships and personal identity. As archaeologists become more and more digitally-based, spending ever-increasing proportions of our working day mediating data and information through the digital environment, is it worth thinking about the wider implications of these changes in the way we work?
