Computer Applications in Archaeological Pottery: A Review and New Perspectives

Abstract

During the past few years, many publications about computer applications in the field of drawing, classification and analysis of archaeological pottery have been presented at various congresses by various researchers. This paper will review and analyze the most relevant works published so far. It focuses on computer applications oriented towards the graphical visualization and analysis of data relevant to archaeological pottery. The intention is to order and systematize these data and to review those publications that are most relevant to computerized systems of archaeological pottery. This review and analysis will introduce the methodology used in the CATA project (Archaeological Wheel­made Pottery of Andalusia), the procedures used in the CATA project for the representation, archiving, analysis and retrieval of data concerning pottery vessels and their fragments. The main aim of the CATA project is to provide a scientific tool for the analysis of pottery finds in eastern Andalusia. These findings will be introduced into a database with documentational and graphical capabilities for visualizing pottery fragments and vessels. The objective is to create a general tool that can be applied to any kind of ceramic material found in any geographical location.