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1993
Book Article
Title
ARCOS - ein Computer zeichnet römische Keramik. Ein Bericht aus dem Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, Mainz
Other Title
ARCOS - a computer produces drawings of Roman pottery. A report from the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, Mainz
Abstract
Archaeological finds from excavations and collections stored in museum can be more efficiently managed by using ARCOS (ARchaeological COmputer System), a microcomputer system which combines video and computer techniques for evaluating, analyzing, and storing archaeological data. Pictures of objects like ceramic sherds can be taken by a video camera. By interactive processing, the objects can be measured, reconstructed, and automatically drawn. Other archaeological information which is collected by using a graphic tablet can be stored together with the image of the sherd. The system does not require any knowledge of the use of computers and can also be used in the field. The basic ARCOS 1 system is completed by the ARCOS 2 with larger internal storage capacity and an optical disk which will allow the management of even extensive museum collections. Special programs were written for the automatic classification of the contour code raised from the ceramic sherd profiles. The importance of the ARCOS 2 grows with the efforts for a standardized database system for archaeological institutes in Germany. Tests in the field have been carried out at different places where excavations took place and at the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege, Dept. Archäologische Denkmalpflege, Mainz. A focus of this paper is the experience which the archaeological staff gained with ARCOS in Mainz.