Climate change reveals new sites while threatening others - 25% of coastal archaeology is now rescue digs. LiDAR technology increases survey efficiency by 70%. Indigenous collaboration becomes standard - 40% of digs include community archaeologists. The field diversifies with 30% working in cultural resource management versus academia. Artifact 3D printing allows global study without transport. However, looting persists - the black market for antiquities exceeds $3 billion yearly. Public archaeology programs boost funding through immersive tourist experiences.
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The "Virtual Dig" initiative uses LiDAR to map sites before physical excavation, preserving 92% of material in situ. At Pompeii, this revealed intact upper floors too fragile to uncover. AI analysis of scans detects artifacts with 89% accuracy, but purists warn it misses contextual clues humans spot. The compromise? "Hybrid archaeology" where robots survey first, with human teams only excavating priority finds. This reduced unnecessary digging by 73% at Egyptian sites. UNESCO now recommends digital documentation before granting excavation permits - a sea change for the field.
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Archaeologists stream excavation layers with commentary on soil color significance
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