In the field, in the office, in their heads! Find out what graduates everywhere are doing in 'Notes from the field'. Technologies past and present are discussed by David Thomas, Duncan Robertson and Matt Lemke whilst issues of social committment are brought home by Mel Giles.

David Thomas, the previous computing officer at the British Institute at Amman for Archaeology and History, outlines just some of the ways in which archaeologists in Jordan are coming to terms with the influx of computers into their working lives. In a rapidly developing world, the ability of computers to handle vast amounts of site data makes them invaluable for archiving and interrogating archaeological evidence. However, as David suggests, one of their main uses is for wider communication between archaeologists and the public. The Amman team have argued that this requires the adequate training of skilled and knowledgeable people behind the technology – issues for us all!

Duncan Robertson, a contract osteoarchaeologist, relates the recent examination of a Middle Bronze Age cremation urn and its contents by CT scan and discusses the potential of the method throughout archaeology. As a non–intrusive means of examining rare and well–preserved artefacts before their excavation, it has interdisciplinary implications not only for scientific analyses but for the ethical dilemmas faced by palaeopathologists and osteologists everywhere. The images alone should be enough to get you hooked !

Mel Giles appeals for sponsorship on behalf of two archaeology graduates from York who are retracing a 1550km pilgrimage from Le Puy in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, to raise money for Shelter, (the National Campaign for Homeless People, the UK's largest registered charity working on behalf of homeless and badly housed people). Taking the theme of home and hospitality seriously, Christian Turner and Joel Burden are using their knowledge of Medieval pilgrimage to put theory into practice and help improve social life in the present. Would you do the same ?

assemblage had a day out to Neill Tools Ltd., Sheffield – a place that is closer to many of our hearts than you may realise – the home of the WHS 4inch trowel! Drool over the tools as Matt Lemke gives you the low-down on some of the stories attached to our most prized possessions.

© assemblage 1997