Practical Applications of GIS for Archaeologists: A Predictive Modelling Toolkit

The use of GIS is the most powerful technology introduced to archaeology since the introduction of carbon 14 dating. The most widespread use of this technology has been for the prediction of archaeological site locations. This book focuses on the use of GIS for archaeological predictive modeling. The contributors include internationally recognized researchers who have been at the forefront of this revolutionary integration of GIS and archaeology, as well as first generation researchers who have begun to critically apply this new technology and explore its theoretical implications.

Table of Contents:
Introduction, K.L. Wescott A PREDICTIVE MODEL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE LOCATION IN THE EASTERN PRAIRIE PENINSULA, R.E. Warren and D.L. Asch Introduction Predictive Modeling Materials and Methods Results Discussion and Conclusions THE APPLICATION OF GIS PREDICTIVE SITE LOCATION MODELS WITHIN PENNSYLVANIA AND WEST VIRGINIA, R.B. Duncan and K.A. Beckman Introduction Background Predictive Model Development Additional GIS Predictive Models Discussion Conclusion USING A GIS TO MODEL PREHISTORIC SITE DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE UPPER CHESAPEAKE BAY, K.L. Wescott and J.A. Kuiper Introduction Aberdeen Proving Ground The Model Results Protecting Cultural Resources through Forest Management Planning in Ontario Using Archaeological Predictive Modeling, L.D. Bona Introduction Background Modeling Methodology Model Research and Development Pilot Projects Oil and Water Can Mix! Integrating Archaeology into Forest Management Planning Summary CONSIDERATION OF SCALE IN MODELING SETTLEMENT PATTERNS USING GIS: AN IROQUOIS EXAMPLE, K.M. Sydoriak Allen Introduction Spatial Scale and Kind of Problems Global, Regional, and Local Views of the Iroquoian World GIS and Spatial Scale: Global, Regional, and Local Views Central New York Region: Regional and Local Conclusions CONSTRUCTION OF DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, J.B. Hageman and D.A. Bennett Introduction Why Should the Archeaologist Care about Interpolation? What is Interpolation? Selecting the Interpolation Algorithm A Belizean Case Study Conclusion THE STATE OF THE ART IN "INDUCTIVE" PREDICTIVE MODELING: SEVEN BIG MISTAKES (AND LOTS OF LITTLE ONES), J.L. Ebert Introduction GIS and Revulutionizing Predictive Modeling Predictive Modeling Predicts and Models the Past What We Want to Predict is Site Location Proximity to Environmental Variables in Important Maps Contain Environmental Variables Map Data is Inaccurate The Accuracy of Inductive Predictive Models Can be Determined GIS APPLICATIONS IN ARCHAEOLOGY: METHOD IN SEARCH OF THEORY, T. Church, R.J. Brandon, and G.R. Burgett Current Use of GIS in Archaeology Correlative Predictive Models The Resource Landscape An Alternative: Explanatory Models from a Landscape Perspective Tools to Tackle Landscapes The Temporal Dimension Scale and Grain The Role of Climate Geomorphological Processes and their Impact Concluding Remarks Index