Furthermore, scanning hardware and software are expensive and many archaeological units and archaeological departments may not be able to support the necessary costs, both human and monetary. Unfortunately, the digitisation of photographic archives is a time-consuming process.

Like artefacts and organic samples, these photographs constitute archaeological data that can be crucial in restudying old archaeological excavations employing updated methodologies. However, every archaeological unit and every archaeology department houses vast archives of analogue photographic materials – film and prints – that are slowly decaying and will eventually be lost unless digitised for the future. By contrast, analogical methods of recording have almost become obsolete. Other techniques such as photogrammetry now enable three-dimensional recording and exploration of archaeological sites and objects on an unprecedented scale. Today, it is possible to produce large photographic records of excavations at a fraction of the price it cost before the advent of digital photography. Advancements in digital photography and other recording tools over the past ten to fifteen years have improved the visual recording of archaeological excavations and artefacts exponentially.