Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology: A Systematic Review

Menéndez-Marsh, Fernando; Al-Rawi, Mohammed; Fonte, João; Dias, Rita; Gonçalves, Luis Jorge; Seco, Luis Gonçalves; Hipólito, João; Machado, José Pedro; Medina, Jorge; Moreira, José; Do Pereiro, Tiago; Vázquez, Marta; Neves, António

doi:10.5334/jcaa.104

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…Archaeologists use GIS to map excavation sites, record artifact distributions, and analyze the topography of ancient settlements. By integrating various data sources such as satellite imagery, historical maps, and field surveys, GIS helps archaeologists uncover patterns, identify potential excavation locations, and understand the context in which historical events occurred [60][61][62]. For a critical perspective on GIS, mapping and spatial thinking in archaeology, see [63,64].…”

Section: Gismentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Tools for Data Acquisition and Heritage Management in Archaeology and Their Impact on Archaeological Practices

Moullou,

Vital,

Sylaiou

et al. 2023

Heritage

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The significance of data acquisition in archaeological practice has consistently held great importance. Over the past few decades, the growing prevalence of digitization in acquiring data has significantly transformed the landscape of archaeological fieldwork, influencing both methodology and interpretation. The integration of digital photogrammetry and laser scanning technologies in archaeology has transformed data acquisition, enabling efficient and precise documentation. However, this digital shift raises concerns about information overload, the potential loss of on-site insights, and the need for suitable data management methods. Over the past 15 years, digital tools like photogrammetry, laser scanning, and unmanned aerial vehicles have advanced cultural heritage documentation. These methods offer detailed 3D models of archaeological sites, artifacts, and monuments, with evolving accessibility and user friendliness. This paper delves into methods for documenting cultural heritage, examining the implications of various approaches on the archaeologist’s workflow and on the field as a whole.

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Section: Gismentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Tools for Data Acquisition and Heritage Management in Archaeology and Their Impact on Archaeological Practices

Moullou,

Vital,

Sylaiou

et al. 2023

Heritage

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“…In the 1980s and 1990s, with advancements in computer technology, the fusion of computer-based quantitative calculations and spatial analysis facilitated the application of GIS in archaeological research. This era also saw the earliest technical applications of archaeological GIS-MAPS [83]. The convergence of these technologies significantly improved researchers' ability to analyze and interpret archaeological data within a spatial context, leading to valuable insights into past civilizations and cultural landscapes.…”

Section: • Gis In Archaeologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most recently, substantial research has been conducted in the realms of large-area remote sensing archaeology, heritage monitoring, evaluation, and the development of heritage protection strategies, all grounded in Big Earth Data [54,209,[213][214][215]. These studies encompass RS mechanisms, universal methodologies, and pioneering demonstrations [54,56,83,211]. The integration of technological advancements and Big Earth Data has led to new insights into human evolution and societal progression, including investigations into the degradation of Outstanding Universal Values of ACH sites [18,216].…”

Section: Towards Big Earth Data-driven Understanding For Achmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of GIS-RS Applications for Archaeological and Cultural Heritage under the DBAR-Heritage Mission

Yao,

Wang,

Luo

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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In recent decades, the application of GIS and RS in archaeological and cultural heritage (ACH) has witnessed a notable surge both in terms of quantity and scope. During the initial implementation period (2016–2021) of the Digital Belt and Road Heritage (DBAR-Heritage) working group, several instances of GIS-RS-based applications in support of cultural heritage conservation have merged. In this paper, in order to discuss the great potential of GIS and RS on the Silk Road, an overview of GIS- and RS-based applications in ACH is first presented. In a substantial portion of the published scientific literature, the identification and comprehension of archaeological sites, the monitoring and risk assessment of cultural heritage, and the management and visualization of cultural heritage data are highlighted. Following this, five illustrative case studies from the DBAR-Heritage working group are presented to exemplify how the integration of GIS and RS serves as key approaches in recognizing and appreciating cultural heritage. These selected case studies showcase the utilization of multi-source data for the identification of linear sites; detailed, refined monitoring and assessment of the Angkor Wat heritage; and the reconstruction of the Silk Road routes. These instances serve as the cornerstone for highlighting current trends in GIS and RS applications in ACH along the Silk Road. These methodologies efficiently integrate multi-source geospatial data and employ multidisciplinary approaches, ultimately furnishing sophisticated and intelligent tools for the exploration and management of archaeological and cultural heritage in the era of Big Earth Data. Subsequently, a comprehensive discussion on the merits and challenges of GIS and RS applications in ACH is presented, followed by an exploration of the current application trends. Finally, the prospects for the widespread application of GIS and RS in ACH along the Silk Road are outlined in accordance with the operational plan of DBAR-Heritage during its second implementation phase.

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Paradigm or Practice? Situating GIS in Contemporary Archaeological Method and Theory

Ullah,

Clow,

Meling

2023

J Archaeol Method Theory

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has been used in archaeology for four decades, and colloquially appears to have become a main tool in the geospatial aspects of archaeological practice. In this paper, we examine temporal trends in the use and/or mention of GIS in archaeological publications (books and journal articles), conference presentations, and websites. We gathered data through keyword searches and with formal sampling surveys and conducted both quantitative and qualitative analyses to characterize the changing nature and intensity of GIS use in archaeology over time. We show how archaeological GIS-use has grown from a few early adopters of the 1980's, through a slow initial integration phase in the 1990's, to a punctuated set of two major expansions in the 2000's and 2010's. While we nd that basic use of GIS has grown to the point where it can be considered ubiquitous -if not universal -in the discipline, we also discovered that the major focus in archaeological GIS advancement is methodological rather than theoretical. We provide a historical context to this temporal pattern and identify ve roadblocks that we believe have hampered the development of a theory-rich archaeological GIS: 1) de ciencies in the archaeological GIS education model, 2) over-reliance on commercial software, 3) technical/technological barriers, 4) gaps in acceptance of GIS, and 5) the perception of GIS as "just a tool." We offer initial suggestions for ways forward to mitigate the effects of these roadblocks and build a more robust, theoretically sophisticated relationship with GIS in archaeology.Recent research into publishing trends in archaeology has elucidated issues of prestige and power inequities (Beck et al., 2021), gender and diversity (Bardolph, 2014;Fulkerson & Tushingham, 2019), and the growth of methodological specialties (Gaffney, 2008). In this paper, we focused on the ubiquity and character of GIS use within archaeology. We proceeded with a three-tiered approach to understanding GIS publication trends. The rst phase was designed to provide a baseline, coarse-grained overview of the general temporal trends of GIS usage within the discipline across a broad set of publication types and venues. The second phase examines trends and types of archaeological GIS usage at a ner, more detailed scale in a targeted subset of publication venues. The nal phase seeks to contextualize the results of the rst two phases and to provide a more nuanced understanding of how archaeologists have used, are using, and will continue to use GIS within the discipline.

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Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology: A Systematic Review

Cited by 6 publications

References 16 publications

Digital Tools for Data Acquisition and Heritage Management in Archaeology and Their Impact on Archaeological Practices

Digital Tools for Data Acquisition and Heritage Management in Archaeology and Their Impact on Archaeological Practices

An Overview of GIS-RS Applications for Archaeological and Cultural Heritage under the DBAR-Heritage Mission

Paradigm or Practice? Situating GIS in Contemporary Archaeological Method and Theory

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