GIS in Archaeology

The Human/Environment Interface of Maya Settlements

Throughout history the physical and cultural environment has influenced location and distribution of settlements. One important question in archaeological research is what are the causal relationships between environmental factors on the one side and location and distribution of settlements on the other? The authors demonstrate GIS to be a powerful analytical tool in finding answers to this question as it relates to Maya settlement patterns in Central America. Clues to the relationships between environmental factors and location and distribution of settlements are preserved in many existing maps. Combining these maps with remote sensing data and non-spatial information from a variety... (read more)

2005-12-29 12:00:00

Laser Scanning and Archaeology

Standard Tool for 3D Documentation of Excavations

Terrestrial 3D laser scanning will become the future standard tool for high-resolution 3D documentation of archaeological excavations, but its capabilities are still underestimated by professional archaeologists and providers of scanners or scanning services. The new tool forces archaeologists to consider extension of archaeological stratigraphy theory. The author shows examples of the beneficial use of laser scanning and proposes an extended theory. Excavation forms the main data retrieval process in field archaeÂology but is also destructive, based as is it upon salvaging in the reverse order of deposition or creation. Reconstruction of the site as it was is very important and... (read more)

2007-09-19 12:00:00

UAS Potential in Archaeology

Archaeology entails the recording of the physical remains left by past generations. Traditionally, archaeological exploration has been by excavation. Other survey techniques have recently gained importance in recording remains that are visible above the ground. Examples include prehistoric fields, settlements and burial remains in upland areas, or industrial landscapes, buildings and standing monuments such as stone circles in other areas. It is more than worthwhile to explore the application of unmanned airborne systems (UASs) in archaeology. In the past most recording was done with tape and a 1m planning frame, while a theodolite was a luxury. More recently total stations, GNSS receivers, terrestrial... (read more)

2016-01-12 11:08:11

Archaeology and GIS in Jordan

Geo-IT in Reconstruction of Baptism Area

Geo-information technology, in particular photogrammetry, digital elevation models, ground-penetrating radar, GIS and 3D modelling, was used to document the recently discovered Baptism area in Jordan for purposes of both science and tourism. Requirements for 3D models included high-level geometric accuracy, detailed reconstruction and efficiency in model size and photo-realism. Geomatics technology helps generate accurate digital records of historical and archaeological objects while reducing overall costs. The Baptism area is an important site of early Christianity, rich in spiritual associations from the old and new Testaments. It is the settlement of Bethany, in Jordan, where John the Baptist lived and performed... (read more)

2007-01-01 12:00:00

SuperGIS for Ethnology and Archaeology

Keio University, Japan, is to be using SuperGIS Desktop 3 and SuperPad 3 for the research in Ethnology and Archaeology. The procurement is contributed by BIZWORKS, SuperGeo's reseller in Japan. Built in 1858, Keio University is the oldest private College in Japan. With the long history and outstanding research contribution, Keio University not only is the leader in Japanese academia, but also has a global reputation from its excellent international courses and numerous students.Through the recommendation of Bizworks, SuperGeo's reseller in Japan, Keio University selected SuperGIS Desktop 3 and SuperPad 3, the powerful desktop GIS and full-function mobile GIS software... (read more)

2010-06-03 02:47:16

Lidar Data – A Perfect Tool for Archaeology

Today, usage of Lidar data in archaeology is almost a must when researching landscapes and archaeological sites. But in his seven years’ experience of using airborne Lidar data, archaeologist Jošt Hobič from Slovenia has come across a few obstacles that are making it look exotic and perhaps even threatening, he writes in this column. The first obstacle is Lidar data that is put behind a paywall – despite in effect being data that has been paid for by taxpayers’ money. Open data is more inclusive, and it stimulates more research. Luckily, a lot of countries around the world are releasing Lidar... (read more)

2020-09-18 02:01:13

SuperGIS Desktop 3.1 Selected for Archaeology Study

SuperGIS Desktop 3.1 has been selected for use by Cater Archaeology, an archaeological consultancy based in the UK. With the aim of recovering geographic environments in different time periods, the company utilises GIS technology to collect and integrate spatial attribute data including characters, environment statistics, historical maps, etc. Cater Archaeology offers archaeological services during the construction of gas pipelines and electricity cables in theUnited Kingdom. The company has been searching for a GIS product with full mapping functions which are updated according to user demand. Possessing the capability for efficient data integration, analysis and visualisation, SuperGIS Desktop 3.1 can help... (read more)

2012-07-24 09:10:09

Scottish Wind Farm Survey Reveals Mediaeval Archaeology

Specialist spatial data solutions-provider Fugro-BKS (UK) recently completed an airborne light detection and ranging (Lidar) survey of five onshore wind farm sites near Caithness in Scotland for RES and Baillie Windfarm Ltd. It has also completed a more conventional topographic survey of another site near Aberdeen, this time for the JNP Group working on behalf of RES. Chris Boreland, Business Development Manager of Northern Ireland-based Fugro-BKS, said that a recent airborne Lidar assignment at Caithness presented lots of challenges. One site was adjacent to the Dounreay nuclear power station, necessitating special flight permissions to fly over the site. This survey,... (read more)

2012-03-29 01:14:21

Portable Lidar Technology Provides Archaeology Students with New Insights

How can modern geospatial technology be used to preserve the past? Archaeology students from Wheaton College in Illinois, USA, have utilized a long-range Lidar sensor during an excavation project in Tel Shimron, Israel, to conduct daily high-resolution scans of the area. The scans gave the students a high-precision record of what they uncovered every day as the basis for further analysis. Velodyne Lidar provided its portable Ultra Puck sensor to enable a new generation of archaeologists to reconstruct life from thousands of years ago. (This article contains a video) Earlier this year, McKenzie Blank, a chemical engineering student at Wheaton... (read more)

2019-11-21 12:54:01

Using 3D Laser Scanners in Archaeology and Heritage Sectors

3D Laser Mapping is organising the latest in a series of free, application-specific workshops designed to promote a new range of hand-held 3D laser scanners. The latest workshop is aimed at potential users of the Mantis Vision imager from within the archaeological and heritage sectors and will take place on 14 March 2013 at the Creswell Crags Limestone Gorge and Cave Systems near Sheffield, UK. Event organiser Charlie Whyman of 3D Laser Mapping commented that the Mantis Vision MVC-F5 is suited to the exacting requirements of users within the archaeological and heritage sectors. These sectors demand a lightweight and easy-to-use... (read more)

2013-02-06 09:36:33