Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky actually has a role described as "programmer archaeologist":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Deepness_in_the_Sky#Interstel...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Deepness_in_the_Sky#Interstel...
Especially since it is actually a prequel, I don't think the order is that important.