Technology
Download the technology capability statement (PDF 12kb)
Electronic data systems
Operating systems
Museum of London Archaeology Service (MoLAS) runs a Microsoft Windows 2000 Active Directory based network comprising several Compaq Proliant servers.
Approximately 100 Compaq Evo PCs running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional are used by all staff members, though some older Windows 95 and Windows 3.11 machines remain in use for legacy applications.
Three Apple Macintoshes are used for DTP and high-end digital photography work. A 2MB ADSL linkage provides internet access and external email services.
Office applications
The Microsoft Office 2000 suite is used across the network and Microsoft Exchange Server is used for electronic mail communications.
Desktop publishing and graphics
The desktop publishing facilities are centred on Quark Express, on both Mac and PC platforms. Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe PhotoShop graphics packages are used to provide publication quality images.
Main database
MoLAS uses version 9i of the Oracle Server Database system with Developer 2000 and thin web client applications. MSQuery and the GIS (see below) utilize the Oracle database as an ODBC data source.
The archaeological database structure has been developed specifically for archaeological data captured using the single context recording system, while an Operations system has been developed to capture project information and interface it with the file system.
Spatial data-capture
Ruggedised Kalidor pen computers linked to surveying instruments and running PenMap software are used on site for general on-site digital data capture which produces GIS ready data sets, while Sokkia SDR 33 data loggers are used for traversing, resection, setting out etc.
Industrial hand-held Psion data loggers are also used on larger sites for attribute data capture, while Fujitsu pen computers are used in association with a Leica reflectoreless EDM (rEDM) for building and monument survey. Dual frequency differential GPS is used on more open sites for landscape and topographical data capture.
Spatial data processing
AutoCAD release 2005 is used as the main draughting and data preparation package, providing data sets used by archaeoloGISts during post-excavation analysis using GIS and for project managers during planning.
The use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) plays a major part in the quality control and validation of field plan data, and that data can be used as a predictive tool (i.e. identifying structural alignments across excavation areas dug at separate times or out of phase) during excavation and an analytical tool during post-excavation assessment.
CAD may also be used for the efficient production of interim drawings and the translation of construction grids and engineering grids essential to the graphical representation of the archaeological programme. Data processing software from Sokkia, Leica and Trimble is used for processing control survey, rEDM and GPS data respectively.
Geographic information systems (GIS)
The ArcView GIS 3.3 package with the Spatial and 3D Analyst extensions is used in association with the Oracle database and other data sources in three ways: firstly through a bespoke application to support project planning and management; secondly within all post-excavation analysis to aid interpretation and data integration; and finally within the publication programme to provide map-based graphical output.
Internet map server technology (ArcIMS) is deployed on the web site and used for the dissemination of spatial data sets within or in support of particular projects.
Stratigraphic information system
The Harris Matrix module of the Bonn Archaeological Statistics package is a tested tool for manipulation of the site matrix. The module allows strings of stratigraphic relationships to be interactively checked. Inconsistent or contradictory relationships are identified, removed and the matrix re-validated to produce a Harris matrix diagram produced as graphical output.
MoLAS has also now started to use the ArchEd Harris Matrix Program as a possible successor to the Bonn program.
Project management
MoLAS monitors all major projects in which it is involved using Microsoft Project Version 2000, and through its Oracle-based Operations database (see 4 above).
Web site
MoLAS has an active and dynamic web site hosted on a dedicated web server. Software supporting the site include Microsoft Content Management Server for the preparation and display of content by staff, SQL Server to database driven components and ArcIMS software (Internet map server technology) is deployed for the dissemination of spatial data sets within or in support of particular projects.
The MoLAS web site was relaunched in April 2007.
File output and data exchange formats
MoLAS has the facility to cope with nearly all types of word processing, spreadsheet, database and graphical file formats in common usage. Please contact a project manager or the Museum’s IT department for further advice.
Security
Backups of the entire system are done on weekly, monthly and yearly cycles, while an incremental backup is run each night. All backup media is stored off-site at the Museum of London.