Virtual applications in public archaeology: digital platforms, access, and the effects of a pandemic

Lloyd, Amanda Marie (2023) Virtual applications in public archaeology: digital platforms, access, and the effects of a pandemic. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public archaeology and heritage education in the American Southwest. Digital tools such as 3D photogrammetry modeling, photo galleries, educational videos, and virtual tours are translating experiential archaeology into online visualization and education, encouraging multi-access public engagement. This research focuses on public national monuments in central northern Arizona and includes a statistical analysis of recreational visitation patterns pre and post COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 and an evaluation of public forum reviews, summarizing pandemic impact during 2020 and 2021. The public can access practical digital solutions to pandemic closures and supplemental web-visualization content through the Walnut Canyon Nine Room Virtual Model Project and educational video curriculum at Elden Pueblo. This thesis uses statistical analysis, public reviews, and digital internship observations to argue that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted routine hands-on public archaeology, but positively affected more use of digital platforms for public engagement; however, multivocal community concerns and technological ethics are necessary considerations in digital archaeology and heritage management.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	COVID-19 pandemic; digital archaeology; digital humanities ethics; heritage management; National Park Service; public archaeology
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Anthropology
Date Deposited:	19 May 2025 17:24
Last Modified:	19 May 2025 17:24
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6158

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