GIS

The GIS (Geographic Informatic System) are software that allows the improvement of cartographic element with all the information resulting of spatial components. GIS is a tool for evaluating, study, analyzing and representing every kind of geographic/spatial phenomena, including the archeological one.
The course explores archaeological GIS and the techniques adopted to acquire, evaluate and manage spatial data. The students will be provided both with theoretical landscape archaeological basics and practical principles of GIS for archaeological use and archaeological site management.
This module targets to acquaint the students with Geographic Information Systems focusing in their use for mapping and analyzing archaeological sites and landscapes. The students will benefit practical experience of how to design, implement and document spatial databases for archaeology. Participants will also be familiarized to the acquisition and processing of spatial data from both traditional (maps and surveys) sources and also from new sources including online archives, remote-sensing, LiDAR and differential GPS.

The module will provide the students with the knowledge base needed to use the principal functions of the common GIS software utilized in archaeology (Quantum GIS-Qgis and ArcGIS). The course will provide an advance approach to GIS for some specific features, with a special focus on heritage and archaeological questions. The module will examine the whole series of cartographic products, (both raster and vector types), using geographic databases, digitizing systems, and the production of complex maps. The course will also introduce GIS in specific contests: archaeological excavations, archaeological maps, archaeological parks and museums.

- General knowledge of Archaeology;
- Having taken “Methods for Archaeology” exam.
- A laptop for the exercise and lab activities;
- Familiarity with open source software installation and management.

1. Lesson 1
Introduction. GIS for archaeology. The QGIS case
Software Quantum GIS
- Menu
- Tools
- Layer management
- Projections
- Plugin

2. Lesson 2
Landscape Archaeology and GIS. Theory and Ontology
- Approaches to Landscape Archaeology: theoretical debates, Time, and Space

3. Lesson 3
Archaeological GIS configurations
- Directories
- Importing layers
- Visualizing Layers
- Georeferencing raster
- Digitization: archaeological “maps” and digitizing tools

4. Lesson 4
GeoDB
- Create amnd link a spatial DB (Postis e Spatialite)
- Database Management (Plugin Dbmanager, Qspatialite)
- Import data
- Query
- Design projects for archaeology

5. Lesson 5
Printing and outputs
- Preparing data
- Layout
- Map customization
- Export

6. Lesson 6
QGIS versus ArcGIS (ESRI)
- Software assessment
- Functionalities

7. Lesson 7
Spatial Analysis
- Predictive models
- Visibility
- Distance

8. Lesson 8
Example of Archaeological GIS
- Archaeological digs
- Landscape Archaeology
- Museum and Archaeological Park management

The study paper will be upload regularly on Moodle space.
General bibliographic references:
- Wheatley D & Gillings M (2002). Spatial technology and archaeology.
- Burrough, P. A. and R. A. McDonnell (1998). Principles of geographic information systems.
- Lock G.R (2000). Beyond the map: archaeology and spatial technologies.
- Chapman H (2006). Landscape Archaeology and GIS.
- Westcott, K.L. and Brandon, R.J. (2000). Practical applications of GIS for archaeologists: a predictive modelling kit.
- Conolly J and Lake M (2006). Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology.
- Longley, Paul. Geographic information systems & science. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011., 75-86.

Class participation, weekly exercises.
Creation of a GIS Map: evaluation of a final exercise that would be prepared step by step in class.

- Class Lessons;
- Brainstorming;
- On-line tests;
- Personal study.

Italian

For further information and for not-attending students, contact the teacher (calaon@unive.it).

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development