Cited by 764Archaeological Research and ProtectionGeographic Information Systems StudiesSpatial and Panel Data Analysis

The DOI matches its Crossref record, with a small difference in title or year; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 13 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Open access
Conolly, James, Lake, Mark·2006·Cambridge University Press eBooks

Abstract

Geographical Information Systems has moved from the domain of the computer specialist into the wider archaeological community, providing it with an exciting new research method. This clearly written but rigorous book provides a comprehensive guide to that use. Topics covered include: the theoretical context and the basics of GIS; data acquisition including database design; interpolation of elevation models; exploratory data analysis including spatial queries; statistical spatial analysis; map algebra; spatial operations including the calculation of slope and aspect, filtering and erosion modeling; methods for analysing regions; visibility analysis; network analysis including hydrological modeling; the production of high quality output for paper and electronic publication; and the use and production of metadata. Offering an extensive range of archaeological examples, it is an invaluable source of practical information for all archaeologists, whether engaged in cultural resource management or academic research. This is essential reading for both the novice and the advanced user.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This is the introductory chapter of a manual on GIS in archaeology, arguing that GIS is one powerful tool among many and that its appropriate use requires awareness of the theoretical concepts of space embedded in it. It reviews the philosophical debate over space and the parallel debate over whether GIS is a "tool" or a "science," then traces how archaeological GIS has moved from common-sense narrative through scientific explanation toward post-processual concerns.

Key findings

  • Two philosophical concepts of space are argued to map onto GIS data models: the absolute ("container") concept fits the continuous field model and raster DEMs, while the relative concept has "some affinity" with the entity model and vector maps — though the authors caution that raster and vector are data structures, not data models, and either can represent the other.
  • Spatial languages (geometries) differ in specificity: topology cannot measure distance or area and suits relative space and stratigraphic relations (e.g. the Harris matrix), whereas Euclidean geometry is metric and supports more meaningful questions, such as measuring areas covered by deposits.
  • The chapter traces archaeological GIS through three modes: "common-sense" narrative (e.g. Gaffney and Stančič 1991, 1992, who showed Roman towers on Hvar are intervisible but did not test whether this arose by chance), scientific explanation (Kvamme 1993; van Leusen 1993; Wheatley 1995, 1996 using a one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; Fisher et al. 1997 on control samples and causality), and post-processual critique.
  • Three strands of post-processual thought are reviewed: how we learn about the past (phenomenology; the charge that GIS perpetuates Haraway's "God trick"), what we study (meaning and symbolism versus environmental determinism), and the "otherness" of the past (Thomas 2004 questioning how far a microprocessor can facilitate experiential archaeology).

Methods

  • This is a theoretical and introductory review chapter, not an empirical study; it presents no dataset, sample, or statistical analysis of its own.
  • It synthesises philosophical literature on space (Harvey, Popper, Kant, Newton), GIS data-model literature (Burrough and McDonnell 1998; Couclelis 1992; Worboys 1995), and a body of archaeological GIS case studies to frame the book's practical chapters.
  • The chapter also outlines the book's structure, mapping chapters to tasks such as data acquisition (Chapters 4–5), surface generation (Chapter 6), analysis (Chapters 7–11), presentation (Chapter 12), and metadata maintenance (Chapter 13).

Limitations

  • Stated: the authors concede that the three strands of post-processual thought they use to organise the discussion "are not so readily separable" in reality, and that they cannot provide instructions for every GIS software package, offering only some package-specific examples.
  • Stated: they note that the earliest research-orientated archaeological GIS studies are treated only briefly and that a fuller treatment of visibility studies appears elsewhere (Lake and Woodman 2003).
  • Evident from the text: as an introductory chapter it advances no testable claims or original data, so its arguments rest on selective citation of prior work rather than systematic review; the "tool versus science" debate is summarised rather than resolved.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1017/cbo9780511807459

Cites

1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

11 No basis given · 10 Own interpretation · 9 Sources not found

Show all 8 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 9
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 21
22 of 22
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    GIS has matured to the point where non-specialists can use relatively user-friendly software to solve real archaeological problems.

    “The study of geographical information systems (GIS) has now matured to the point where non-specialists can take advantage of relatively user-friendly software to help them solve real archaeological problems.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The application of methods like creating an elevation model from widely spaced contour lines is likely to produce highly unsatisfactory results and interpretative errors.

    “none that we know of would warn that the application of this method to widely spaced contours is likely to produce highly unsatisfactory results that could lead to a host of interpretative errors further down the line.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Researchers who become overdependent on the data management abilities of GIS may shy away from tackling more analytical questions.

    “there is a risk that researchers who become overdependent on the data management abilities of GIS may shy away from tackling more analytical questions simply because it is not immediately obvious which buttons to push.”
3 of 3

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

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Metadata

Authors
Conolly, J., & Lake, M.
Affiliations
  • Trent University (CA)
  • University College London (GB)
Venue
Cambridge University Press eBooks
Published
2006-05-04
OpenAlex
W297006095
Cited by
761
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 35 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 61 · 2017: 74 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 56 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 35
FWCI
14.59
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Andalas University Repository (Andalas University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Archeology › Archaeological Research and Protection
  • Social Sciences › Geography, Planning and Development › Geographic Information Systems Studies
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Spatial and Panel Data Analysis
Keywords
geographic information systems, archaeological GIS, spatial analysis, spatial queries, digital elevation model, map algebra, visibility analysis, network analysis, hydrological modeling, erosion modeling, metadata, cultural resource management, database design

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