New Methods, Old Problems: Geographic Information Systems in Modem Archaeological Research. Herbert D. G. Maschner editor. Occasional Paper No. 23, Center for Archaeological Investigations. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1996. xv + 315 pp., 78 figures, 33 tables, references, index. $35.00 (paper).

1997 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Smith
Author(s):  
Emiliano Scampoli

The urban evolution of Florence in the first thirteen centuries of its history is delineated here via a census of the archaeological finds, starting from those documented in the second half of the nineteenth century. The information has been organised and analysed through the use of Geographic Information Systems. The finds have been broken down by period and in terms of function, so as to describe, where possible, the evolution of the buildings and the public spaces and the changes in ways of living and approaches to burial, defence and production over the course of time. The Florentine data are considered within the regional and Italian framework mapped by archaeological research over the last few decades. Theme maps created using GIS further enhance the understanding of the text.


Author(s):  
Sofia Lacerda

Com este ensaio pretendeu-se complementar o estudo do Alto Douro do III e II milénio a.C. oferecendo uma perspectiva cartesiana do espaço como complemento aos estudos que têm sido feitos com base na percepção presencial de investigadores como João Muralha Cardoso, Vítor Oliveira Jorge, Susana Oliveira Jorge, Ana Margarida Vale, António Sá Coixão e outros. Esta análise permitiu testar a falibilidade dos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG), ferramenta que possibilitou a concretização de uma série de mapas (Heatmap, Terrain Profile, Viewshed, etc.) que permitiram percepcionar o território à macro escala e reflectir sobre a disposição e a relação entre sítios como Castanheiro do Vento e Castelo Velho, além de outros da mesma cronologia e território, mas que, sobretudo por falta de intervenções arqueológicas, não conhecemos tão bem. Entendeu-se que todos estes sítios, formando dois grandes núcleos, poderão ter funcionado de forma articulada; e que sítios como Castanheiro do Vento, Castelo Velho, Santa Columba ou Montes se situam em zonas que possibilitam um amplo controlo visual sobre o território, o que reforça noções como a de hierarquia e controle. GIS and Archaeology: essay for the comprehension of Alto Douro in III and II millenium b.C - We intend, with this essay, to complement the study of the Alto Douro region, between the 3rd and 2nd millenium b.C., offering a cartesian insight of this space, investigated by archaeologists such as João Muralha Cardoso, Vítor Oliveira Jorge, Susana Oliveira Jorge, Ana Margarida Vale and António Sá Coixão. This analysis allowed us to test the fallibility of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – a tool that allowed us to perform spacial analysis operations (Heatmaps, Terrain Profiles, Viewshed Analysis, etc.). Thus, we could understand the territory at a larger scale, and reflect on how sites such as Castanheiro do Vento and Castelo Velho are disposed and related, as well as other ones from the same period, that due to the lack of archaeological research, we don’t know quite well. It is understood that all these sites, which form two groups, that might have worked in an articulated way; and that sites as Castanheiro do Vento, Castelo Velho, Santa Columba or Montes, located in areas which allowed a good visual control over the territory, reinforce concepts as hierarchy and control.


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