ARCH3044 GIS for Archaeology
Module Overview
This module aims to acquaint you with Geographic Information Systems including their use for mapping and analysing archaeological sites and landscapes, and to explain the broader context of their application to a range of archaeological research and management problems. You will gain practical experience of how to design, implement and document spatial databases for archaeology. You will also be introduced to the acquisition and processing of spatial data from both traditional (maps and surveys) sources and also from new sources including remote-sensing, LiDAR and differential GPS.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
The aims of this module are to introduce you to Geographic Information Systems and their application to the analysis of archaeological landscapes.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Having successfully completed this module you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how Archaeology has used GIS in the past, and how it has contributed to theoretical and methodological development of landscape archaeology.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Having successfully completed this module you will be able to work with Geographic Information Systems in many disciplines. You will be able to design and implement spatial databases using industry-standard GIS software, and will have a sound grasp of the principles of a range of spatial technologies. In addition, you will develop skills that will enable you to solve problems by referring to documentation and online sources.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Having successfully completed this module you will be able to represent, map and analyse archaeological data with GIS and grasp the archaeological implications of new sources of spatial data (such as LiDAR and GPS).
Syllabus
Typically the syllabus will cover the following topics: • Introduction to GIS • Understanding and making maps • Spatial databases and metadata • Elevation models and their products • Remote sensing and aerial survey (LiDAR etc.) • Sites, territories and distance • GPS survey data and geodetics • Visibility and intervisibility • Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) and GIS
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be a combination of: • Lectures on the theory and practice of spatial technology, and on the ways in which these have been applied to archaeological research and management; • Practical classes in which you will be encouraged to develop practical ability to design and implement spatial databases, and to analyse archaeological spatial information.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 10 |
| Completion of assessment task | 60 |
| Lecture | 12 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 24 |
| Wider reading or practice | 20 |
| Follow-up work | 24 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Burrough, P. A. and R. A. McDonnell (1998). Principles of geographic information systems.
Allen, K.M.S., Green, S. and Zubrow, E.B.W (1990). Interpreting space: GIS and archaeology, Applications of Geographic Information Systems.
Westcott, K.L. and Brandon, R.J. (2000). Practical applications of GIS for archaeologists: a predictive modelling kit.
Aldenderfer, M. and Maschner, H.D.G (1996). Anthropology, space and geographic information systems, Spatial information series.
Lock, G.R. and Stancic, Z (1995). Archaeology and geographical information systems: a European perspective.
Lock, G.R. and Molyneaux B.L (2006). Confronting scale in archaeology.
Lock G.R (2000). Beyond the map: archaeology and spatial technologies.
Chapman H (2006). Landscape Archaeology and GIS.
Conolly J and Lake M (2006). Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology.
Bodenhamer DJ, Corrigan J and Harris TM (2010). The spatial humanities: GIS and the future of humanities scholarship..
DeMers, M. N (1997). Fundamentals of geographic information systems.
Wheatley D & Gillings M (2002). Spatial technology and archaeology.
Maschner, H.D.G (1996). New methods, old problems: geographical information systems in modern archaeological research.
Assessment
Formative
Practical exercise
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Practical | 65% |
| Presentation | 35% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Practical | 100% |