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Tracking Down the Road

From GPS to
Archaeological Map
for under 500 Euros
Presented at the
International Conference of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture

“Digital Heritage in the new knowledge environment:


Shared spaces & open paths to cultural content” ( Athens 2008)

Sabine Beckmann, University of Crete


General

The application of GIS in archaeological studies by a non-specialist - like


most archaeologists - usually presupposes a lot of money and a slow
learning curve. But GIS doesn't necessarily need rich funding, special
education or the hired help of specialists. Fast to learn and cheap but
effective mapping and design programs can be used by archaeologists to
achieve better results for understanding and presenting archaeological
data. The case study employed in the examples shows the multiple uses of
such features in the author’s ongoing PhD study of Minoan mountain sites
with their enclosure walls, connecting roads and thus attributable field
plots. Archaeological data are mapped with a simple GPS unit and two
easy to learn mapping programs, the total cost of which are under 500
Euros (see below for details).
First steps:

In Greece a digitally rendered map sheet (1:5000, vectorized) costs ca.


1.000€ (GYS), but a paper map copy (under 20€) can be scanned and
georeferenced with a few coordinates (on the map corners or with 3-4
ground control points) in mapping software (OZI-Explorer, Global Mapper –
these two programs were in use with all the screenshots shown here).
Some extra attention has to be paid to map datum and projection: Data for
one project must be using the same reference system. This isn't easy for
Greece, as different kinds of datums and projections are applied on maps!
WGS84 and Geographical (Latitude/Longitude) Projection are used by GPS
receivers.
If one wishes to use 3-D rendering (available DEM-files in high resolution
are very expensive again) one has to generate a DEM file by drawing
manually contour-lines (isoheights) and converting them into a DEM-file.
Especially for mountainous areas that can be a large amount of work.
Example: Tracking Minoan walls (enclosures and roads)
by walking over them with a GPS-receiver.

1. Saving a walked over Minoan enclosure wall trac from a GPS-receiver‘s Log file
(dwelling sites yellow) using a map 1:5000 (GYS). The track looks as untidy as
originally walked (depending on the landscape obstacles, e.g. bushes etc, that had
to be walked around).
2. First simplified draft drawing of all Minoan walls of the same area on the map.
(Note that some walls had been entered on the map by cartographers as walls -
e.g. arrow 1 – others as paths – e.g. arrow 2).

2
1
3. Clean redrawing in colours: Enclosures (enclosed area hatched) around
various neighbouring sites plus tracks of Minoan roads (orange lines, the road
on the map is modern). Note how the site of the cave (green) is also served by
the road system: Minoan use can be suggested.
The same part of the landscape as shown on the map above on a freely available
Google Earth Satellite image. Landuse features: Areas with good fields are
shaded green, medium good fields khaki.
Note: With this it can be suggested that the the site top left (yellow enclosure)
had the best agricultural revenue (of the area) in Minoan times.

Site Site

Site

Site Site

Site
Site

Cave
Site
Two examples of 3-D rendering of
(part of) the satellite image. Left:
20m isoheights (freely available
Dem file,USGS) Below: 4m
isoheights (self-drawn Dem file).
Note: The more detailed contour
resolution gives a clearer
impression of how the field areas
relate to terrain in valleys (with
alluvial soil, good) and terraces
(on rockier slopes, medium).
Minoan field area in an alluvial depression at a Minoan site in modern use (as cereal
field for animal fodder). Terraced slopes are not cultivated now, still farmers of the
area remember cereal cultivation on them until shortly after WW II.
Note: This kind of modern field gives an impression how even in rocky mountain
regions agriculture (i.e. cereal cultivation) is feasible. Possible landuse patterns of
the Bronze Age can be judged by this kind of example.
Example for 3-D rendering of architecture:
Measured were the massive foundation walls of a Middle Bronze Age ruin.
Traces of two round structures are marked by a moderate amount of rubble. An inner enclosure
wall seems to have surrounded a court with a rounded, level area inside (not used as modern
threshing floor).

The same ruin as 3-D image drawn with Google Sketchup based on the drawing (not set in contoured
landscape).
Note: The two round structures (in Minoan archaeology usually called „kouloures“) could possibly have been
granaries as is suggested here. The arable areas within the enclosure wall surrounding this site include
11.700 sqm of good and 12.000 sqm of medium quality fields (here counted with factor ½ of the good ones in
possible production).
Following the Greek encyclopedia Ηλιος 1.000 sqm of Greek field (without artificial fertilizers and irrigation)
produce ca 80-260 kg of barley per year, i.e. for site 33: 1.416 to 4.602 kg. Calculated using a comparative
actual average need of 128kg of cereals per person/year – i.e. 640 kg for a family of 5 - in a Cretan
household of the 1950ies (Allbaugh), thus up to 4.000 kg/year (with 0,6 kg/l of Cretan hulled barley: nearly 7
m3) of surplus could have been produced at this site if it was inhabited by a 5 person household – a good
reason for the existence of two granaries.
Cost of software and equipment used for this project:

Global Mapper: 290$ = ca 190 €


OZI-Explorer: 70 €
Garmin Etrex GPS: ca 150 €
Various additional material
(connecting cables etc.) ca 50 €
---------------------------
Sum ca 480 € (2008)
Sources:
Software:
www.globalmapper.com
www.oziexplorer.com
www.sketchup.com

GPS receivers e.g. at:


www.garmin.com

DEM Files at:


http://www.usgs.gov

Maps at: Hellenic Military Geographical Service


(HMGS /GYS)
www.gys.gr

Ήλιος Εγκυκλοπαίδεια, Αθήνα 1941/52.

Allbaugh, L.G., (1953). Crete, a case study of


un underdeveloped area. Princeton.

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