Specifically written for readers with no previous experience of computing, this book aims to give archaeologists a non-technical but thorough grounding in the use of computers. Every aspect of the subject is covered, from what computers actually look like to computer jargon which is lucidly explained. The authors deal with every stage of a computer project, from the recording and management of data to the presentation of results. They discuss the purpose and value of program packages, such as SPSS and GINO, and analyse the relative merits of individual programming languages. This book does not attempt to teach programming: rather a series of step-by-step examples demonstrates the application of a range of computer languages to archaeological data. An important section deals with the implications of advances in computer technology for archaeological research in the future.