This volume consists of a selection of the peer-reviewed papers presented at the Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology 2012 conference hosted by the Archaeological Computing Research Group at the University of Southampton, UK between 26th and 30th March 2012. The conference included 53 sessions divided between the themes of simulating the past, spatial analysis, data modelling and sharing, data analysis, management, integration and visualisation, geospatial technologies, field and lab recording, theoretical approaches and the context of archaeological computing, and a general theme. In addition there were 12 workshops. A total of 380 papers and posters were presented, and two key note addresses. Alongside the lively conference atmosphere at the venue there was a thriving social media back channel. In addition to these proceedings there is therefore a broad ranging multimedia record of the event, accessible via the conference website.

The co-organisers of CAA2012 and myself would like to thank the CAA Steering Committee for their advice and assistance. We are also indebted to Professor Anne Curry (Dean of Faculty of Humanities) and Professor Jonathan Adams (Head of Archaeology) for their support and encouragement. Many individuals and organisations in Southampton and further afield, including the sponsors and exhibitors, contributed to making the conference such a success. Of course without the many delegates travelling from across the globe and offering such exciting contributions there could have been no conference, and we are very grateful to them for their lively contributions to all aspects of the event. Finally, we would like to offer our thanks to the superb team of volunteers that made CAA2012 possible. The Archaeological Computing Research Group at Southampton was very proud indeed to be able to host the 40th CAA conference and we know that this was demonstrated by the enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism of the postgraduate and undergraduate students that gave so much of their time to the event.

I very much hope that you enjoy these proceedings and all the many related outputs from CAA2012, and I look forward to seeing you at future CAA conferences.