THE VOLUNTEERED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION IN ARCHAEOLOGY

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), which is still at a very early stage, to identify its use worldwide including characteristic examples and research its potential applications in Cultural Heritage and Archaeology as a new field for study. In the first part of the paper a brief review of the field is given, the international terminology and its components are analysed. The basic framework of VGI and the international research trends are presented as well. The second part deals with the applications of VGI in Cultural Heritage and Archaeology. Finally, some thoughts, conclusions and recommendations for action and institutionalization of use are offered underlining that VGI cannot be applied to Archaeology without professional attendance and supervision so as unwanted results can be prevented.