Data Literacy in Archaeological Education

Overview

Archaeological data literacy is an integral part of the stewardship of the archaeological record. From paper notes, and their digital surrogates, to time and power intensive computer-based modeling and simulations, archaeologists of all kinds require data literacy to do their jobs and preserve the work of previous generations. Yet, archaeological data literacy lacks explicit education in current archaeological training despite the demand for these skills in academic research contexts and in private sector and government mandated archaeology. In this review, we reflect on the places hiring archaeologists expect data literacy skills to be taught and frame this call in terms of a need to incorporate explicit data skills in archaeological education. We also suggest that the cultivation of data literacy skills should be part of the continuing education of archaeologists as the field becomes increasingly data and technology oriented.