Re-Engineering Which Processes? To What Extent are Post-excavation Practices, Techniques and Documentation as Well Established as Methods for On-site Recording?

Current practice for archiving of digital records of the stratigraphic data from excavations is still very variable internationally, particularly for commercially excavated sites. Experience in the UK, as reported through ARIADNE+, shows “comparison of the number of archives deposited with the Archaeology Data Service (ADS) against an estimated number of projects found that, at best, 2-3% of all commercial projects have been digitally archived with the ADS”(Tsang 2021). There is no commonly accepted consistent (FAIR & Open) practice for ensuring that primary stratigraphic data from excavations is included in digital archives. Although valuable initiatives, such as the CIfA “Dig Digital Toolkit” (https:// www.archaeologists.net/digdigital), have begun to address what is included in the digital archive from excavations, the actual processes used in the post-excavation (PX) analysis stage of projects varies quite markedly and, therefore, the by-products from that stage of the archaeological process are far less consistent in any resulting digital archives. A big question remains: “To what extent are PX practices, techniques and documentation as well established as the methods for on-site recording” and what are the related opportunities and challenges, we still face? This paper will present outcomes and published recommendations from The Matrix project [AH/T002093/1] whichhas addressed some of the current limitations in certain approaches to analysis and digital archives of archaeological stratigraphic and phasing data. It will introduce work and key deliverables from ‘The Archaeologists Guide to Good Practice - Handbook’ (AG2GP-Handbook) [AH/X006735/1] project. The aim of this new project is to draw together the collective expertise of the main archaeological contractors and associated researchers in the UK and, in consultation with other stakeholders from the sector, undertake the necessary feasibility work and organize the required collaborative activities to develop a consortium approach and online tools and resources to support best working practice for this work. Abstract taken from the EAA 2024 Abstract Book: 30th EAA Annual Meeting (Rome, Italy 2024) - Abstract Book Names, titles and affiliations are reproduced as submitted by the session organisers and/or authors. Language and wording of titles and abstracts were not revised. Technical editing: Sára Tylšová, Magda Karabáš (EAA) Design and layout: Sára Tylšová, Magda Karabáš (EAA) Design - cover: Symposia srl Design - logo: Caterina Amendola European Association of Archaeologists Rome, August 2024 © European Association of Archaeologists, 2024 ISBN 978-80-88441-08-3 30th EAA Annual Meeting (Rome, 2024) https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA2024/scientificprogramme