The world of archaeology will be brought bang up-to-date, thanks to an Oxford University spin-off company.

Oxford ArchDigital, set up by archaeology lecturer Dr Gary Lock and his former student Dr Tyler Bell, will train archaeologists and museum staff to use computer systems.

The company will help museums and record offices put their collections on the Internet, aided by Government money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Managing director Nick Case said: "We will help archaeologists, museums, heritage bodies and historic preservation societies to use IT-based solutions, with digital storage and analysis.

"One of the Government's aims is that you should be able to access images of Roman coins when you click on a museum's website."

Oxford ArchDigital is also developing software to track wild animals, with markers giving off signals which are recorded via satellites.

Dr Bell, a former archaeological fieldworker, has developed sophisticated data systems for research projects incorporating mapping systems, computer-aided design and web databases. He has also built computer reconstructions of ancient and modern architecture for 'fly-throughs' and lighting studies.

The courses will be run by Dr Tom Evans, a former archaeology fieldworker who has managed UK and US commercial archaeological companies. He is also a specialist in computer techniques for analysing archaeological data.

The Oxford team has field-tested databases for recording pottery, artefacts and images.