GIS, what is it and which uses does it have in Archaeology?

In todays archaeological work, digital tools are getting more and more used. This is a short introductuon to the term GIS, one of the many digital tools that is available on most of todays excavations. In order to collect and present the data that makes out the foundation of many of the present day archaeological documentations and studies, one often have to make use of differnet softwares. Most common is the use of Intrasis (where one records and document the data) and ArcGIS (where one analyses and present the data). 

GIS, short for Geographic Information Systems, lets us manage, store, vizualise and analyse spatial and geographic data. It can be used to analyse differenct spatial data, often layerd and compaered to the variables and factors of ones study. An example of this can be hydrological data, both estimates of the past levels as well as present day data, which in turn can be layered with the changes in the topography of the landscape. An example on the use of GIS to display sites and sort them according to set parameters, is given in the following paragraph. 

The following illustration displays the use of GIS to sort and show the locations of independant heritage and find sites. By inputting a map with geospatial data, and a list from a database, also with geospatial data in order to correctly correlate it to the map, we can show the locations on the map used. We can add layers to the map in order to display differnent features, both as independed layers and in relation to the other layers that we have added to it. As long as the database used, also differentiate what type of site it is, then we also have the possibillity of sorting the sites and get the software to only show us the locations that fits with the search parameters we limited it to. For example, if settlements are within a certain distance from the nearest watercourses.

An example of using GIS to show heritage and find sites on a map.

Some of the simpler uses of GIS, is simple digitalization of schetces and drawings from the fieldwork. Three illustrated examples of this is shown further down in the post. By scanning the drawings and then using the software to digitalize it, we get figures and ilustrations by utalizing the data.

It is possible to create layers upon layers in the software, layers which can be turned on and off in order to show the desired details. An example on this use can be when one makes a drawing of the excavated layers in a shaft. In the following figure we have three different layers displayed along with the stones(in blue) marked in on the original field drawings. 

An example on the vizualisation of the plan structure of a dig site.

It does not only have to be layers we display. We can also display other features on the plans. On the example here, from a rock shelter, the two testpits are marked and labeld according to what number they had in the total amount of test pits dug on registration.

An example of the vizualisation of the placemnt of test pits in a rock shelter. 

We can also use this way of digitalization to illustrate the profiles and cuts done in shafts and test pits. The following figure is from a test pit, and shows the different layers that was encounterd during the dig. In this example, we have differnt layers, all listed at the side of the illustration. If we wanted more details listed her, we could have added the data and used different setting in the software in order to achieve it.

An example on the vizualisation of the stratigraphy of a test pit. 

There are a wide range of different GIS-softwares used world-wide. The examples here have been  made using the software ArcGIS (made by Esri - Environmental Systems Research Institute).

Greek - Introduction to the basics of the alphabet

This is an introduction to the basics of the ancient Greek alphabet. It is ment to give those interested in learning a little greek an understanding of this version of the Greek alphabet. Modern Greek are similar to the ancient, but the grammar and vocabulary are different.

Many might recognise several of the letters in the picture below. I have listed both the upper- and lowercase letters, along with the name of each letter in both Greek and English, as well as the general pronounciation of them. A good way to learn the different letters, is to work on connecting the right uppercase letter with the corresponding lowercase letter.

(Click on the picture in order to enlarge it if some of the letters are hard to read)

Breathings

There are no h letter in the Greek alphabet, but the sound can still occur on the beginning of words. Some word begins with a vowel or an diphthong, and an h sound(but no letter for it). We therefore have something called spiritus asper (also called rough breathing or aspiration). This is indicated by a mark that looks like an opening singel qoute with the opening towards the right, above the first vowel or diphthong of the word, as in εὑρίσκω - pronounced: heurísko (which translates to: I find, I discover).

When an h sound is not to be pronounced at the beginning of a word that begins with a vowel or a diphthong, we use what is called spiritus lenis (also called smooth breathing). It is the absence of aspiration. The mark for this, is the opposite of that from rough breathing. Here the opening is towards the left.

Every word that begins with a vowel or a diphtong will eather have a rough or a smooth breathing. All words beginning with ρ (the letter r), also always have a rough breathing, e.g. ῥάβδος - pronounced: hrabdos (which translates to: wand, stick, rod). 

Diphthongs

Diphthongs, also known as gliding vowels, are the combination of two adjacent vowel sounds within the same syllable. The Greek diphthongs are as following: 

Other vowel combinations

We also have something called digraphs in the Greek grammar. Digraphs are the combinations of vowels that represents a single sound. In Greek there are two long vowel sounds that are represented by digraphs. They are as following:

Paired consonants

Most paired consonants, such as λλ μμ ππ and ττ, should be pronounced and held twice as long as a single consonant. Exeptions to this general rule, is γγ γκ γξ and γχ. Here the first γ is pronounced as the ng in sing. An example on this is άγγελος - pronounced: angelos (messenger). 

A small exercise for fun

Here is a small exercise that you can do for fun to see if you can recognise the names that are written in Greek letters. It is the names of The Twelve Olympian Gods.

Forma Urbis Romae

Forma Urbis Romae, also known as the Severan Marble Plan, were created between 203 and 211 CE, under the rule of the emperor Septimus Severus. The marble plan was a map, detailing Rome, where buildings, fora and roads were marked and named. The marble plan was placed on the wall of the Temple pf Peace at the Forum Vespasiani. The wall where the marble plan was situated can still be seen today, though none of the marble slabs are still there. The wall can be seen when standing along the Via dei Fori Imeriali and watching towards the Basilica of Maxentius. The wall of the marble plan is on the building right next to the basilica.

The marble plan depicts the depicts the buildings in great details, displaying architectural elemements such as columns and stairs. The streets and the buildings, both public and privat ones, are described with their names listed on the corresponding feature on the map.

The original site of the marble plan is on the other side of the wall in the middle

The marble plan meassured 18 x 13 meters and consisted of 150 marble slabs. Of these, only c. 10% have survived. At total of 1186 fragments of the marble plan have survived. An additional 87 fragments are known through drawings from the Renaissance, though the fragments themselves are lost.

Forum Romanum is one of the many fora depicted on the marble plan,
the details of it such as the Tabernae in the Basilica
and the columns in the temple is displayed

All of the known pieces of the Forma Urbis Romae, both curently existing and drawings of lost pieces, is collected in an online, searchable database, created by the Stanford Digital Forma Urbis Romae Project.

Back in business

The pages have been through a revamping and is now back in business again. The new and improved content will be trickling in during the comming weeks. Some new and exciting topics will be intoduced in the following month.