Hmm, yes, I can see future archaeologists concluding that most project documentation is to cover the backside of the chief priests in case a ritual sacrifice might be required.

With regard to "Future Technology" research papers, it is sometimes fascinating to see how some great ideas never make it, and some are eventually realised, but usually not for the reason, or in the way that the writers imagined. Often one is rather reminded of the efforts that went into alchemy in the 16th century.

In my experience, the main problem for systems analysts is finding the reason why organisations do things the way they do. Usually this depends on some old-timer who carries on the "oral tradition". I heard an archaeologist on TV recently say that "when we don't know what an artifact is for, we say it is a 'ritual object'". One could probably write a book about projects that have come crashing down because of failure to understand an undocumented but essential data item.