Journal of Archaeological Research, VoL 6, No. 4, 1998 Recent Trends Archaeology Julian D. Richards 1 in Computer Applications in Publications of computer applications in archaeology are reviewed for the period between 1990 and 1996 inclusive. The influence of technological developments on research effort is noted, and particular areas of growth are described. One of the major trends during the review period has been the increase in use of geographical information systems (GIS), but these have still to fulfill their potential The increased uses of computers for education, communication, and electronic publication are also regarded as important growth areas. KEY WORDS: computer applications; trends. INTRODUCTION This paper reviews recent trends in computer applications in archae- ology. Despite continued interest in the links between archaeological theory and archaeological computing (e.g., Lock, 1995), current trends have been as much technology-driven as theory-led. It makes sense, therefore, to structure this overview according to classes of software applications rather than archaeological questions. This approach is inevitable but regrettable, as it maintains the idea that the means are more interesting than the end. It is suggested that only when the choice of tool is seen as incidental will archaeological computing have come of age (see Moffett, 1991). This ap- proach also reflects the fact that although archaeologists have been quick to apply the latest technology, in most cases the technological driving force has been outside the discipline. This paper is therefore structured not by 1Department of Archaeology, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP, UK. 331 1059-0161198/1200-0331515.00/0 9 1998 Plenum Publishing Corporation