In 1972, it was suggested that the idea of a totally comprehensive, global storage and retrieval system for archaeological data (LERNIE), with suitable optimizing and forecasting capabilites to develop artificial intelligence, should be investigated. The search for adaptable components to be used in such a system has led to a number of interesting studies, particularly in the areas of auto-collation for report, and computer-aided animation of both artifacts and structures. Perhaps most of the development has occurred in the fields of image analysis, and of storage and display of good quality TV pictures. In conjunction with photogrammetry, this promises to revolutionize all aspects of archaeological recording and analysis completely.