Archaeologists rely on QR codes to track artifact information, but that means hauling printers and stacks of sticker labels to every excavation site. We wondered if there was a cleaner, easier, and more reliable way to manage all that information.

That’s where Near Frequency Communication tags, or NFC tags, come in. These tiny, inexpensive, waterproof tags can be programmed and read with a simple tap from a phone. No stickers. No printers. No hassle.

We put NFC technology to work in three major ways:

1. We stored artifact descriptions, measurements, and GPS coordinates directly on the tags, giving researchers instant access to essential data right at the dig site.

2. We shared site information on Google My Maps, allowing teams to collaborate, view updates, and visualize excavation progress in real time. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1psx_OPCSl5yyPX9OtB9mLSEwLto622g&ll=44.44049494258584%2C-88.03598805000001&z=18

3. We organized our expedition equipment by building an app that scans the NFC tag on each container, displays the packing list, and tracks which team member has checked out which tools. This ensured that nothing was ever misplaced, and everyone always knew exactly where each item was.