Comparative Perspectives from the Southwest: Digital Fieldwork at the far end of the Silk Road

Abstract

Our University of Hong Kong team conducts archaeological research in Armenia in collaboration with the Armenian Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography. The South Caucasus area of southwestern Asia has always been an important interregional connection zone. This mountainous area supplied resources to nearby ancient Mesopotamia, the locus for important developments in early complex society. Our project investigates polity-formation processes in a local river valley during the Late Bronze Age (ca1500-1200BCE), including the construction of monumental fortifications that were reused during the Hellenistic period (ca100BCE). In the Medieval period (ca1100-1400CE), Armenia sits along one of the northern routes of the Silk Road. Our fieldwork implements a digital recording system, including volumetric 3d scanning of each excavation context and many artifacts for analysis. We experiment with several innovations for improving the accuracy and efficiency of field data collection, including through partnerships with research Engineers. Since our project is based in Hong Kong, with this presentation we share our research results and digital approaches to engage in dialogue with the community of archaeologists here in East Asia.