Mapping invisibility: GIS approaches to the analysis of hiding and seclusion
Open accessAbstract
Analyses of visibility have become a commonplace within landscape-based archaeological research, whether through rich description, simple mapping or formal modelling and statistical analysis, the latter increasingly carried out using the viewshed functionality of GIS. The research presented here challenges current obsessions with what is visible to focus instead upon the interpretative benefits of considering the invisible and the complex interplay of visibility and concealment that frequently accompany landscape movement and experience. Having highlighted the difficulties in analysing relational properties such as invisibility and hiding using traditional archaeological techniques, a series of new GIS methodologies are presented and evaluated in the context of an original study of a series of remarkably small, visually non-intrusive prehistoric megalithic monuments. The results serve to challenge dominant interpretations of these enigmatic sites as well as demonstrating the utility, value and potential of the GIS-based approaches developed.
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- Authors
- Gillings, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Leicester (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Gillings, Mark
- Venue
- Journal of Archaeological Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-10
- Volume
- 62
- Pages
- 1-14
- ISSN
- 0305-4403 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W787848761
- Cited by
- 71
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 11.97
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Locations
- Journal of Archaeological Science (publishedVersion)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (publishedVersion)
- Bournemouth University Research Online (Bournemouth University) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Leicester Research Archive (University of Leicester) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Explore Bristol Research (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Space and Planetary Science › Archaeological Research and Protection
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Archaeological and Geological Studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Historical and Architectural Studies
- Keywords
- invisibility, concealment, seclusion, visibility, megalithic monuments, prehistoric monuments, landscape archaeology, GIS methodology, visibility analysis, landscape experience
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