Practical Methods of GIS for Archaeologists: Spatial Division in a Large Area

International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science

© 2019 by SSRG - IJGGS Journal

Volume 6 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2019

Authors : George Malaperdas

10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V6I1P101

How to Cite?

George Malaperdas, "Practical Methods of GIS for Archaeologists: Spatial Division in a Large Area," SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science, vol. 6,  no. 1, pp. 1-6, 2019. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V6I1P101

Abstract:

The use of GIS software is ideal for the investigation of archaeological problems which involve the geographical distributions of sites. Its ability to combine qualitative and quantitative data and also to allow for effective categorization, multi-layering and distance-measurement renders it an indispensable tool for the investigation of archaeological issues concerning distribution patterns. The present work demonstrates the importance of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in archaeology and more specifically, an attempt is made to resolve the problem of division of a large geographical area in smaller areas with specific rational and realistic criteria, using Mycenaean Messenia as a case study. Messenia is considered one of the most important Mycenaean regions of Greece due to the great number and significance of Mycenaean sites hosted therein. Due to the large size of the study area (2.991 Square Kilometers), it was preferable to divide the total of the area into smaller sub-areas, due to the following reasons: The smaller areas are more efficient for analyzing, in terms of field research as well as in office preparation work. More generally, as far as field research is concerned, the smaller the area, the more thorough and in greater detail is the geomorphologic information to be studied. Regarding office work, the depictions (always depending upon the scale), will have and present a greater detail.

Keywords:

GIS, Spatial Division, Spatial Analysis, Archaeology, Path Distance

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