Geographical Information Systems (GIS), which combine (geo)graphical information with other kinds of data, have become a popular tool in archaeology in the last decades. After a long time with relatively expensive and complicated software it is nowadays possible to use free and open source GIS software that can deal with large amounts of date and combine various kind of information (aerial images, LiDAR scans, topographic information, and many more) to store, manage, analyze and present these in one system. Various tools have been adopted to the analyses of remote sensing and other surveying data, which help to gain more knowledge than from visual interpretation only.

With this development, GIS have become one of the most important tool for archaeologists. On the other hand, the easy access to these tools, to rather sophisticated techniques like predictive modeling, least cost paths analyses and so on does not absolve the user from acquainting himself with the methodological and technical details of all these techniques - using GIS is more than simply pushing buttons.

We will provide you with more information on GIS related topics in the span of the ArcLand project as knowing them is of increasing importance when dealing with surveying and remote sensing data.

Recommended Reading (to be continued)

• G. Lock/Z. Stančič (eds.), Archaeology and Geographical Information Systems: A European Perspective (London 1995).
• D. Wheatley, Between the lines: the role of GIS-based predictive modelling in the interpretation of extensive survey data. In: H. Kamermans/K. Fennema (Hrsg.), Interfacing the past. Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) 1995. Analecta Praehist. Leidensia 28 (Leiden 1996) 275–292.
• G. Lock/T. Bell/J. Lloyd, Towards a Methodology for Modelling Surface Survey Data: The Sangro Valley Project. In: M. Gillings/D. Mattingly/J. van Dalen (eds.), Geographical Information Systems and Landscape Archaeology. The Archaeology of Mediterranean Landscapes 3 (Oxford 1999) 55–63.
• G. Lock (ed.), Beyond the Map. Archaeology and Spatial Technologies . NATO Scien. Ser. Life Scien. 321 (Amsterdam 2000).
• D. Wheatley/M. Gillings, Spatial Technology and Archaeology. The Archaeological Application of GIS (London, New York 2002).
• M. van Leusen/H. Kamermans (eds.), Predictive Modelling for Archaeological Heritage Management: A research agenda. Nederland. Arch. Rapp. 29 (Amersfoort 2005).
• J. Conolly/M. Lake, Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology. Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology (Cambridge 2006).
• G. Lock/B. L. Molyneaux (eds.), Confronting Scale in Archaeology. Issues of Theory and Practice (Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 2006).
• G. Lock, Computers, learning and teaching in archaeology: life past and present on the screen. In: Th. L. Evans/P. Daly (eds.), Digital Archaeology. Bridging method and theory (London, New York 2006) 226–235.
• J. W. H. Ph. Verhagen, Case studies in archaeological predictive modelling. Diss. Univ. Leiden (2007). http://hdl.handle.net/1887/11863.
• B. J. Devereux/G. S. Amable/P. Crow, Visualisation of LiDAR terrain models for archaeological feature detection. Antiquity 82, 2008, 470–478.
• M. Doneus/Chr. Briese/M. Fera/U. Fornwagner/M. Griebl/M. Janner/M.-Chr. Zingerle, Documentation and Analysis of Archaeological Sites using Aerial Reconnaissance and Airborne Laser Scanning. In: 21st CIPA Symposium, Anticipating the Future of the Cultural Past. ISPRS Internat. Arch. Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol. XXXVI-5/C53, 275–280 (2007).
• M. Doneus/Chr. Briese/M. Fera/M. Janner, Archaeological prospection offorested areas using full-waveform airborne laser scanning. Journ. Arch. Scien. 35,4, 2008, 882–893. doi:10.1016/j.jas.2007.06.013.
• A. Posluschny/K. Lambers/I. Herzog (eds.), Layers of Perception. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA), Berlin, April 2–6, 2007. Koll. Vor- u. Frühgesch. 10 (Bonn 2008).
• P. Verhagen/A. Borsboom, The design of effective and efficient trialtrenching strategies for discovering archaeological sites. Journal Arch. Science 36, 2009, 1807–1815.
• H. Kamermans/M. van Leusen/Ph. Verhagen (eds.), Archaeological Prediction and Risk Management. Alternatives to Current Practice. Arch. Stud. Leiden Univ. (Leiden 2009).
• A. J. Wagtendonk/Ph. Verhagen/S. Soetens/K. Jeneson/M. de Kleijn, Past in Place: The Role of Geo-ICT in Present-day Archaeology . In: H. J. Scholten/R. van de Velde/N. van Manen, Niels (eds.), Geospatial Technology and the Role of Location in Science. GeoJournal Library 96 (Dordrecht 2009).