Computer simulation in archaeology. Art, science or nightmare?

Juan Anton Barceló

doi:10.4995/var.2012.4489

Authors

Juan Anton Barceló Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/var.2012.4489

Keywords:

Virtual archaeology, Artificial society, Simulation, Agent-based modelling

Abstract

By simulating historical processes and not just the archaeological material, I intend to explain social causality at the micro and macro levels. The target is no more an archaeological artifact but a human society at large, although existing only in the virtual world. A new target, the artificial society, is created with its own structure and behavior. With the possibility of simulating virtual social systems, a new methodology of scientific inquiry becomes possible.

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Author Biography

Juan Anton Barceló, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Dept. Prehistoria.

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