A Museum First: Virtual Dig
The first simulated archaeological excavation has been developed by Dr. Harold L. Dibble, a curator at the University Museum and professor of anthropology at Penn, in conjunction with Dr. Shannon P. McPherron of the Bishop Museum and Dr. Barbara Roth of Oregon State University. Virtual Dig, their combination of workbook and CD-ROM functions as a "virtual field school" for students and others. Based on excavations at the Middle Paleolithic site of Combe-Capelle in France, the exercises included in Virtual Dig ask students to access the CD's database to analyze and interpret findings. Virtual Dig, a PC compatible CD-ROM is available ($39.95) from Mayfield Publishing 1-800-433-1279.
Almanac, Vol. 45, No. 31, May 4, 1999