This paper looks back at 1970's modeling initiatives in archaeology in order to draw parallels with current initiatives on applying Semantic Web techniques to cultural artifacts. At those times, epistemo-logical criticisms were raised on the lack of consideration by these models of the semiotic value of cultural artifacts. Based on these arguments, we propose several design perspectives for computer models and tools to aim at human semiotics rather than formal semantics. Last, those models and tools are seen in action as well as how art historians make sense of them.