The Computer Laboratory facilities are designed to supplement existing high-performance numerical computing facilities at the University of Chicago with local resources specifically tailored for use by the Institute faculty, research projects, and staff. These local resources include Sun Microsystems, Apple Macintosh, and Intel-based Windows computers, a variety of hardcopy output devices, and multimedia development equipment. All resources have access to the campus-wide ethernet network, and the Internet beyond.

Several types of services are provided by the Computer Laboratory, ranging from basic training and familiarization with computer concepts and practices to the development of a three-dimension computer models of entire archaeological sites. These two extremes highlight the dual nature of the Laboratory's operation:

  1. To provide expertise and advice concerning computer technology and its application for such uses as word processing, database management, and statistical analyses.
  2. To undertake the development of computer databases for specific Institute projects.