Issues in replication and stability of least-cost path calculations
Open accessAbstract
An important and frequently used tool in archaeological spatial analysis is least-cost path (LCP) analysis to compute routes connecting a set of targets. The outcome depends on the cost model chosen and the topographic data used. A slope-dependent cost model requires a digital elevation model (DEM) that should reflect the landscape in the past. It is often impossible to reconstruct the past terrain, and modern high-resolution elevation data results in problematic storage requirements and computation times. This article presents a case study that explores issues in replication and stability of LCP calculations for pairs of targets that are close to known old trade routes. A large number of cost models is tested based on two topographic data sets, including DEMs of two different resolutions (25 m and 50 m). The cost models use six different slope-dependent cost functions suggested by various authors for pedestrian movement. Moreover, a slope-dependent cost function is applied that results in LCPs including hairpin curves if the slope exceeds a predefined critical value. It is shown that the best-performing LCP sets for the two topographic data sets are closely related but not identical. Moreover, reasons for the failure of LCP reconstructions for some old route sections are discussed.
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- Authors
- Herzog, I.
- ORCID
- Herzog, Irmela
- Venue
- Studies in DIGITAL Heritage
- Publisher
- IUScholarWorks
- Published
- 2022-04-05
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 131-155
- ISSN
- 2574-1748 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4224240257
- Cited by
- 23
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2
- FWCI
- 9.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Studies in Digital Heritage (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Indiana Magazine of History (Indiana University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Space and Planetary Science › Archaeological Research and Protection
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Urban Design and Spatial Analysis
- Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
- Keywords
- least-cost path analysis, replication, numerical stability, cost model, digital elevation model, DEM resolution, trade routes, pedestrian movement
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