Simulacrum or Simulation of Heritage: The Abade Case Study

Abstract

Archaeology has undergone significant developments in recent times and is constantly adapting to the changing demands of modern society. As the contemporary world experiences constant and rapid change, the use of information technology resources is not merely a passive and complementary element of research, but an active and dynamic component in shaping the field. This article acknowledges the importance of this relationship and aims to explore the role of technology in enhancing archaeological research. Firstly, we will discuss the importance of computer simulation in archaeology as a novel way of "thinking the past" and as a training "metaphor site" for new professionals. Secondly, we argue that this new approach to archaeological science is not only a methodological advantage for predictive theses, but also an experimental platform for archaeological practice among sites. Thirdly, we bring up the potential of agent-based models and expert systems in the study of complex human and non-human systems, and in the construction of archaeological knowledge through an artificial inference engine. Finally, we provide an archaeological case study with the Abade Artificial Archaeological Site project (AAAS). In the following section, we provide a detailed account of this extensive project and demonstrate the potential applications and implications of virtual models and computer simulations in archaeology and beyond.