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Joshua S. CampbellUniversity of Kansas
March 5, 2008
KSU Archaeological Field Methods: Survey
Archaeological Applications of Geographic Information
Systems (GIS)
What is a GIS?
Geographic Information System"automated systems for the capture,
storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data." (Clarke, 1995, p. 13)
Collection of hardware, software, and people
Where did GIS come from?
GIS is built upon knowledge from geography, cartography, computer science and mathematics
Geographic Information Science is a new interdisciplinary field built out of the use and theory of GIS
Defining GIS
Geography is the organizing principle!
All GIS definitions recognize that spatial data are unique because they are linked to maps
A GIS at least consists of a database, map information, and a computer-based link between them
GIS as an information system
"An information system that is designed to work with data referenced by spatial or geographic coordinates. In other words, a GIS is both a database system with specific capabilities for spatially-referenced data, as well as a set of operations for working with the data" (Star and Estes, 1990, p. 2).
Spatial and non-spatial dataPart Number Quantity Description1034161 5 Wheel spoke1051671 1 Ball bearing1047623 6 Wheel rim1021413 2 Tire1011210 3 Handlebars
Crimes during 2003Date Location Type22-Jan 123 James St. Robbery24-Jan 22 Smith St. Burglary10-Feb 9 Elm St. #4A Assault13-Feb 12 Fifth Avenue Breaking and Entering14-Feb 17 Del Playa Drunk and Disorderly
Map Overlay
What do archaeologists study?
Archaeologists are interested in culture and human behavior through time and space
Emphasis on material culture remainsAll artifacts are located somewhereAll artifacts can be described using attributes
How can GIS help?
Integrate vector data (point plotted artifacts, features, excavation units, sites) with rasterdata (feature and level photographs, geophysical data, remote-sensing images, interpolated artifact density surfaces).
Scalable – works at the site level, local level, regional, and global levels.
Capture / Data Acquisition
Begins the geospatial workflow
Obtain data in a digital format
Digital acquisition will facilitate analysis and visualization components
Survey and Excavation
Cataloging and MappingIntegration of GPS derived infoDigital record keeping
Visualize spatial relationships among artifacts or other geophysical measurementsStatistical Analysis (cluster analysis, …)Magnetic Susceptibility, Sediment Texture,
Organic Content, …
Survey and Excavation
ExamplesKirwin Reservoir Survey
Fort Hood Survey
Scott Site
Archival
Construction of a digital database containing spatial data of all site locations with associated attribute data
Required for Regional-level analysis
KSHS site database and DASC data viewer
Analysis
Predictive Modeling
Surface Generation
Least-Cost Paths
Viewshed Analysis
Specific Applications
Fort Hood, Texas2D and 3D archaeological model integrationPenetrometer survey
Kirwin Reservoir, KansasGeoarchaeological survey and hydrological
predictions
Specific Applications
Stranger Creek / Scott SiteMagnetic susceptibility metrics
Trail Rut mappingPenetrometer survey
SW Kansas Predictive Model
Display / Visualization
70% of the human brain is associated with vision
GIS data can produce graphical outputs which greatly enhance the understanding of complex datasets
Display / Visualization
Predictive Model SurfacesMorton County
Hydrological PredictionsKirwin Reservoir
Analytical SurfacesScott Site, Trail Ruts, and Ft. Hood survey
Future Directions
Google Earth / SketchupRapidly becoming the primary vehicle for the
display of spatial data
Integration with Open Source software to provide analytical functionality
Also does not contain the high price tag!
Resources
Computing, GIS and Archaeology in the UKhttp://www.archaeogeek.com/blog/
GIS for Archaeology and CRMhttp://www.gisarch.com
Digging Digitallyhttp://www.alexandriaarchive.org/blog/
Spatial Technology and ArchaeologyWheatley and Gillings, 2002
Kansas Geospatial Commons (DASC)www.kansasgis.org
Joshua S. Campbell – [email protected]