Insurgent Artifacts

Research keyword network
Image by Anlan Du

DESCRIPTION

This project investigates how the collaboration between archaeological science and counterterrorism studies impacts the robustness and reliability of data generated. Satellite remote sensing technologies are an essential element of this collaboration and the resulting quality of data. We assessed how these data were incorporated into research practices and knowledge claims across the collaboration. With its focus on research networks, federal policy development, and the analytical procedures used by individuals and teams, the findings from Insurgent Artifacts have broader implications for our understanding of data robustness and reliability in the sciences.

For more information about the project: NSF Grant #1754992

Project homepage

RESOURCES

data documentation initiative

The data documentation initiative (DDI) standards are a set of metadata and data collection standards and tools for the social sciences that have been developed over the last 25 years. This document explains how we structured the project to align with DDI standards.

DOWNLOAD

Coding Rules for Congressional Testimonials

This document explains the coding procedures we applied to US Congressional testimonies relevant to how academic or expert evidence on looting is used by policymakers for counterterrorism and cultural heritage protection purposes.

DOWNLOAD

Interview Data Analysis ProCedureS

This document describes our steps for cleaning and coding interview transcripts and notes associated with the project.

DOWNLOAD

Data visualization gallery

One of our goals was to understand the scholarly structure of conflict archaeology. We used network analysis to examine how the emerging subfield of conflict archaeology generates new knowledge claims through prior research, and how the introduction of new technologies impacts the network shape. The images that follow are a small sample of this work. The codebook and preliminary analysis are available from the authors upon request. All images were produced by Anlan Du.

Network analysis of scholarship linked to archaeological looting. Fruchterman-Reingold layout, Wakita-Tsurumi clustering algorithm. Image: Anlan Du.

Network visualization of citation patterns across archaeological looting scholarship. Image: Anlan Du.

Keyword analysis of archaeological looting and satellite remote sensing scholarly papers, Fruchterman-Reingold layout. Image: Anlan Du.

Author citation analysis, nearest two degrees of connection to an author within satellite remote sensing and archaeological looting. Image: Anlan Du.

Findings and research dissemination activities

December 2021

“The Hallmarks of Effective Crisis Science”
by Fiona Greenland and Michelle Fabiani

Sociological Science 8(22): 455-479.

LEARN MORE

october 2021

“Epistemic Power and Ethical Position-taking in Conflict Archaeology”
by Fiona Greenland and Michelle Fabiani

2021 Meeting of the Society for the Social Studies of Science (4S), Toronto, Ontario.

VIEW PROGRAM

march 2021

Seminar talk: “Automated Detection of Looters’ Pits in Archaeological Sites: Challenges in the Human-Machine Satellite Paradigm”
by Fiona Greenland and Michelle Fabiani

Human and Machine Intelligence Group, University of Virginia.

VIEW PROGRAM

May 2020

“Managing Uncertainty in Interdisciplinary Spatial Data Processes”
by Fiona Greenland and Michelle Fabiani

Research paper accepted to the International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management (GISTAM), Prague. [Cancelled due to COVID-19].

April 2020

“Learning to Live with Black Boxes”
by Michelle Fabiani and Fiona Greenland

Research paper accepted for the 48th Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Conference (paper #0143). Session S17. Emerging digital technologies against looting and illegal antiquities trafficking: critical approaches, solutions and outcomes. Oxford, UK. [Cancelled due to COVID-19].

VIEW PROGRAM

March 2020

“Scientific Urgency, Satellite Vision, and the Rise of Conflict Archaeology”
by Fiona Greenland

Research paper accepted for the Technology, Knowledge, and Science (TKS) annual meeting. Urbana-Champaign, IL.[Cancelled due to COVID-19].

WATCH TALK