Den Erfolg planen! – Was wäre, wenn NFDI4Objects erfolgreich wird?

Abstract

Currently, the booming field of excavation and archaeological research is undergoing a transformation into a largely digitally documenting and documented archaeology. Should the NFDI initiative succeed in the FAIR archiving and exploitation of these vast body of data, beyond those primarily responsible for data collection (‘excavators’) and data provision (‘digital data librarians’), trained archaeologists with appropriate skills will be required for analysis and creation of cultural and social value. Despite numerous warnings, however, the educational offerings lag behind in both quantity and quality. Furthermore, the continuous need for further training for existing professionals and volunteers is not being addressed. This educational shortfall, even though the topic of education is firmly embedded in the project as Task Area 6 in NFDI4Objects, is not solely a task for NFDI4Objects, but for the entire field – including those not directly involved in excavation archaeology. If the educational challenge continues to be underestimated, very soon many graduates, working archaeologists as well as volunteers will be excluded from working with archaeological primary sources.