Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

360 Pages·2006·62.01 MB·English

by  James Conolly

C am bridge MANUALS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
Geographical
information Systems
in Archaeology
James conolly and Mark Lake
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
SYSTEMS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
The study of geographical information systems (GIS) has moved from the domain of
the computer specialist into the wider archaeological community, providing it with
a powerful tool for research and data management. This clearly written but rigorous
book provides a comprehensive guide to the archaeological uses of GIS. Topics covered
include: the theoretical context and the basics of GIS; data acquisition including database
design; creation of elevation models; exploratory data analysis including spatial queries;
statistical spatial analysis; map algebra; spatial operations including the calculation
of slope and aspect, filtering and erosion modelling; methods for analysing regions,
visibility analysis; network analysis including hydrological modelling; the production
of high-quality output for paper and electronic publication; and the use and production
of metadata. Offering an extensive range of archaeological examples, it is an invaluable
source of practical information about GIS for all archaeologists, whether engaged in
cultural resource management or academic research. This is an essential handbook for
both the novice and the advanced user.
James Conolly is former Lecturer in Archaeology at University College London and
now Canada Research Chair in Archaeology at Trent University, Canada. Alongside
the archaeological uses of GIS, his research interests include settlement and landscape
archaeology, quantitative methods and population history, especially as applied to the
origins and spread of agriculture and Aegean prehistory.
Mark Lake is a lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London,
where he coordinates the M.Sc. GIS and Spatial Analysis in Archaeology. His research
interests include early prehistory, spatial analysis and evolutionary archaeology. He is
a contributor to Handbook of Archaeological Sciences and a member of the editorial
board of World Archaeology.

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
SYSTEMS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
CAMBRIDGE MANUALS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
General editor
Graeme Barker, University of Cambridge
Advisory editors
Elizabeth Slater, University of Liverpool
Peter Bogucki, Princeton University
Books in the series
Pottery in Archaeology, Clive Orton, Paul Tyers and Alan Vince
Vertebrate Taphonomy, R. Lee Lyman
Photography in Archaeology and Conservation, 2nd edn., Peter G. Dorrell
Alluvial Geoarchaeology, A. G. Brown
Shells, Cheryl Claasen
Zooarchaeology, Elizabeth J. Reitz and Elizabeth S. Wing
Sampling in Archaeology, Clive Orton
Excavation, Steve Roskams
Teeth, 2nd edn., Simon Hillson
Lithics, 2nd edn., William Andrefskey Jr.
Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology, James Conolly and Mark Lake
Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology is a series of reference handbooks designed for an international
audience of upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, and professional archaeologists and
archaeological scientists in universities, museums, research laboratories and field units. Each book
includes a survey of current archaeological practice alongside essential reference material on
contemporary techniques and methodology.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
SYSTEMS IN ARCHAEOLOGY
James Conolly
Department of Anthropology, Trent University & Institute of Archaeology,
University College London
Mark Lake
Institute of Archaeology, University College London
Jgi Cam br id g e
UNIVERSITY PRESS
Cambridge university press
Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, Sao Paulo
Cambridge University Press
The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK
Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521797443
© J. Conolly and M. Lake 2006
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without
the written permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2006
Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library
ISBN 13 978-0-521-79330-8 hardback
ISBN 10 0-521-79330-0 hardback
ISBN 13 978-0-521-79744-3 paperback
ISBN 10 0-521-79744-6 paperback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and
does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or
appropriate.
To Lucy and Ella, Paddy and Katy

CONTENTS
List of figures page xii
List of tables xvii
List of boxes xix
Acknowledgements xx
1 INTRODUCTION AND THEORETICAL ISSUES
IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL GIS 1
1.1 About this book 1
1.2 Theoretical issues 3
1.3 Conclusion 10
2 FIRST PRINCIPLES 11
2.1 Introduction 11
2.2 The basics 11
2.3 Cartographic principles 16
2.4 Data models and data structures: the digital
representation of spatial phenomena 24
2.5 Conclusion 31
3 PUTTING GIS TO WORK IN ARCHAEOLOGY 33
3.1 Management of archaeological resources 33
3.2 GIS and excavation 36
3.3 Landscape archaeology 41
3.4 Spatial and simulation modelling 45
3.5 Conclusion 50
4 THE GEODATABASE 51
4.1 Introduction 51
4.2 Designing a relational database for attribute data 55
4.3 Spatial data storage and management 57
5 SPATIAL DATA ACQUISITION 61
5.1 Introduction 61
5.2 Primary geospatial data 61
5.3 Secondary data 77
ix