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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