Thinking beyond the tool: archaeological computing and the interpretive process

The idea of putting together this book was inspired by the session Thinking beyond the Tool: Archaeological Computing and the Interpretive Process, which was held at the Theoretical Archaeology Group (TAG) conference in Bristol (17-19 December 2010). The session, as well as the regular format of paper presentations, included a round table discussion at the end of the session, to provide a debate forum for the participants, and encourage the development of the dialogue which emerged from the various presentations. This format not only facilitated the discussion on a better theorised approach to computer applications in archaeology, but also allowed delegates with diverse backgrounds to elaborate on common concerns from different perspectives. The overarching theme of the session, which revolved around how the various computational tools affect the ways we practice archaeology and interpret and disseminate aspects of the past, generated a series of stimulating debates.