Benefits and Applications of Conceptual Modelling

Abstract

In this chapter, we explain why conceptual modelling should be used, what interest it has for archaeology and anthropology, and benefits can be derived from using it. First, we explain how conceptual modelling can help us to explore areas of the world that we do not understand very well, that is, we can try to model a small part of the world in various manners and explore which one makes more sense. In this regards, conceptual models can help us to “organize our minds”. Then we explain that conceptual modelling can also help us to document the world for later reference. Instead of taking notes in English or other natural language, or carrying out any other form of informal recording, we can create a conceptual model as a way to document a part of the world, with the aim that others, or even ourselves, will use this information in the future to learn about what was described. This is particularly relevant, for example, when the documented entities are to be destroyed, like with many archaeological interventions. After that, we explain that conceptual modelling is useful to communicate our ideas to others. We can sketch formal diagrams on paper or a whiteboard, or we can use a computer-stored conceptual model, as a way to disseminate information or share our ideas. Given the formal nature of conceptual modelling, this is especially useful when trying to communicate with specialists from very different backgrounds. Then we explain that conceptual models can work as guidelines to design tools or methodologies. For example, a conceptual modelling that is shared within an organization can be easily employed as the basis to develop a company-wide database system or a common fieldwork methodology. Finally, we conclude the chapter by explaining that conceptual modelling can help us to make our information interoperate with other sources. By establishing shared conceptual frameworks of reference, databases and data sets can be interpreted by external agents with less effort.