CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 10Archaeological Research and ProtectionClassical Antiquity StudiesAncient Egypt and Archaeology

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Geospatial Data from the “Building a Model to Reconstruct the Hellenistic and Roman Road Networks of the Eastern Desert of Egypt, a Semi-Empirical Approach Based on Modern Travelers’ Itineraries” Paper

Open access
Manière, Louis, Crépy, Maël, Redon, Bérangère·2020·Journal of Open Archaeology Data
DOI 10.5334/joad.71
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

The dataset contains the spatial data needed to build the network of least cost camel paths between archaeological sites and watering places in the Egyptian Eastern Desert during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. It includes the sites to be linked, the travel factors (topography, navigation and terrain surface), the modern traveler routes used for training and model validation, and the outputs. Data processing models, made on ArcGIS 10.5, are available. Data and analyses for model calibration and validation to assess its quality are also provided.The objective of this dataset is to be able to reproduce the network created in the Egyptian Eastern Desert and facilitate the application of the approach to other study areas. Although the input data is based on the Egyptian Eastern Desert, the method is nevertheless reproducible using the data processing models developed. Paper linked with the data:Manière, L., Crépy, M., Redon, B. (2021) Building a Model to reconstruct the Hellenistic and Roman Road Networks of the Eastern Desert of Egypt, a Semi-Empirical Approach Based on Modern Travelers’ Itineraries. Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology. In review.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This data descriptor presents the geospatial dataset and ArcGIS 10.5 processing models behind a semi-empirical reconstruction of Hellenistic and Roman road networks in Egypt's Eastern Desert, built as least-cost camel paths calibrated on modern travellers' itineraries. It documents the workflow, quality control, constraints, and reuse potential of the data deposited on Zenodo.

Key findings

  • Calibration tables for the movement factors were derived from modern passenger itineraries split into two datasets: one for calibration (cumulative distance 1.343 km) and one for evaluation of path quality (cumulative distance 1.103 km).
  • Validation compares the valley bottoms (wadis) crossed rather than exact trajectories; a modelled least-cost route is considered valid when it follows the same wadi bottom as the control route.
  • A quantitative analysis using a method close to the Path Deviation Index (Jan, Horowitz and Peng 1999) shows lower uncertainties in the validation data than in the calibration data, and higher model deviations in non-mountainous areas.
  • The dataset provides input data, preprocessing and output folders, ArcGIS 10.5 processing templates (toolbox and Python), and all training/validation data and spreadsheets.

Methods

  • Design: a least-cost path workflow in ArcGIS 10.5 (Desktop Release 10.5.1, Advanced licence) implemented as data processing models: (1) generate a cost grid combining navigation and terrain movement factors with camel-specific calibration parameters; (2) build a least-cost isotropic network from archaeological and watering sites plus the cost grid and topographic factor; (3) clean duplicates and generalize the raw network with a 40 m tolerance; (4) post-process to prepare segment cost calculation; (5) compute cost of mobility per segment.
  • Data: least-cost analyses run on 11 m raster grids, with site locations centred on the overlapped pixel and a correction linking effective site location to the network. The DEM used is a combination of TanDEM-X 0.4 arcsec (~11 m over the study area, ©DLR 2019) and SRTM 1 arcsec (NASA/NGA) reworked by ATDI at 25 m and resampled to 11 m in uncovered sectors; an SRTM 1 arcsec layer resampled at 11 m and cut to the study area is deposited for testing.
  • Analysis: quality control compares measured deviations between modelled, calibration and validation trajectories, with final validation based on comparing the wadis crossed.

Limitations

  • Stated: uncertainties in the calibration and validation datasets are difficult to quantify, mainly because they rely on interpretation of modern travellers' texts; accuracy can only be estimated at the scale of the valley, and accepted uncertainties are greater in wider lowland valleys than in steeper areas.
  • Stated: the movement and calibration factor data are specific to the study area and to the camel mode of transportation, and are not suitable for other study areas with a different environment; only the approach and technical tools are reusable.
  • Stated: full reproducibility is limited because the TanDEM-X-based DEM cannot be shared freely (provided for scientific use only), and the processing models are not directly usable as standard ArcGIS tools — users must enter the model builder interface or Python scripts, and the costly iterator-based models may require cutting the study area into overlapping sectors.

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

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.5334/joad.71

Cites

1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

  • Findingreasoning

    Uncertainties in the calibration and validation data sets are difficult to quantify, mainly because they rely on interpretation of modern travellers' texts.

    “Uncertainties in the calibration and validation data sets are difficult to quantify by mainly relying on modern travellers' texts interpretation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Study design and conductnone given

    The calibration tables used in the network's design were created to ensure that the modelled paths fit as closely as possible with modern passenger itineraries made under conditions similar to those of ancient travels.

    “The calibration tables used in the network's design were created to ensure that the modelled paths fit as closely as possible with modern passenger itineraries that have been made under conditions similar to those of ancient travels.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Modern passenger itineraries were made under conditions similar to those of ancient travels.
  • Interpretationreasoning

    Because valleys are wider in the lowland areas, the associated and accepted uncertainties are greater than in the steeper areas.

    “The valleys being wider in the lowland areas, the associated and accepted uncertainties are thus greater than in the steeper areas.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Interpretationown data

    The movement and calibration factor data provided in this repository are based on the study area and the defined mode of transportation (camel), and are therefore not suitable for other study areas with a different environment from the Egyptian Eastern Desert.

    “The movement and calibration factor data provided in this repository are based on our study area and the defined mode of transportation (camel).They are therefore not suitable to other study area with a different environment from the Egyptian Eastern Desert.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Interpretationreasoning

    The geomorphological nature of the information (natural landmarks, valleys explored, surfaces avoided) makes it possible to estimate an accuracy at the scale of the valley.

    “The geomorphological nature of the information (natural landmarks, valleys explored, surfaces avoided) nevertheless makes us able to estimate an accuracy at the scale of the valley.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 9
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 5

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingnone given

    The operations of the data models are very costly to perform.

    “These operations are very costly to perform.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingreasoning

    The only difference for full reproducibility is the DEM used.

    “The only difference for full reproducibility is the DEM used.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Findingnone given

    This dataset provides methods for evaluating the calibration of the movement factors and validating the results.

    “This dataset also provides methods for evaluating the calibration of the movement factors and validating the results.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingown data

    The DEM used in the study and publication is a combination of the TanDEM-X 0.4 arcsec (~11 m over the study area) and the SRTM 1 arc second reworked by ATDI at 25 m and resampled at 11 m in the sectors not covered by the former.

    “The DEM used in our study and in our publication is a combination of the TanDEM-X 0.4 arcsec ( ~11 m over our study area) provided by the German Aerospace Center (©DLR 2019) and the SRTM 1 arc second (NASA and NGA) reworked by ATDI at 25 m and resampled at 11 m in the sectors not covered by the former”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingreasoning

    The data processing models are not directly usable as a standard ArcGIS tool.

    “The data processing models are not directly usable as a standard ArcGIS tool.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Findingnone given

    The processing tools are provided in toolbox and python format to allow all users to have access to the codes.

    “The processing tools are in toolbox and python format to allow all the users to have access to the codes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Between the starting and destination points of a calibration or validation step, a modelled least-cost route is considered valid when it follows the same wadi bottom as the control route.

    “Between the starting and destination points of a calibration or validation step, a modelled least-cost route between these two locations is considered valid when it follows the same wadi bottom as the control route.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The approach and the technical tools are reusable.

    “However, the approach and the technical tools are reusable.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The evaluation of travel factor cost calibrations and the model's ability to replicate alternative routes is done by comparing measured deviations, but final validation relies on comparing the valley bottoms crossed.

    “The evaluation of travel factor cost calibrations and the model's ability to replicate alternative routes are done by comparing measured deviations, but final validation relies on comparing the valley bottoms crossed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductown data

    The travellers' itinerary data were divided into two datasets: one used to create the calibration tables (cumulative distance 1.343 km) and the other used to evaluate path quality (cumulative distance 1.103 km).

    “These travelers itinerary data were divided in two dataset.One is used to create these calibration tables (with a cumulative distance of 1.343 km), the other one to evaluate paths quality (with a cumulative distance of 1.103 km).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

    Interpretationnone given

    The input data of this dataset allows reproduction of the output data stored in the same repository.

    “The input data of this dataset allows to reproduce the output data stored in the same repository.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • It may state two separate claims as one.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The validation of the model results with the calibration and validation data is carried out by comparing the wadis crossed regardless of their width, a valid modelled path following the right valleys.

    “The validation of the model results with the calibration and validation data is therefore carried out by comparing the wadis crossed regardless of their width, a valid modeled path following the right valleys”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
12 of 12

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Modern passenger itineraries were made under conditions similar to those of ancient travels.

    “modern passenger itineraries that have been made under conditions similar to those of ancient travels”
1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Metadata

Authors
Manière, L., Crépy, M., & Redon, B.
Venue
Journal of Open Archaeology Data
Publisher
Ubiquity Press, Ltd.
Published
2020
Volume
8
Issue
7
ISSN
2049-1565 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.5334/joad.71
OpenAlex
W3114521288
Cited by
10
References
1
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2
FWCI
2.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Open Archaeology Data (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Journal of Open Archaeology Data (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Archeology › Archaeological Research and Protection
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Classics › Classical Antiquity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology (arts and humanities) › Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
Keywords
ancient road networks, Roman roads, Eastern Desert of Egypt, Ptolemaic period, least-cost path, travel itineraries, topography, terrain surface, watering places, archaeological site

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

A language model drew the claims from the paper on 2026-11-10, under version 3 of the claim definition (model deepseek-v4.1-flash, prompt extract-v3).

A second model labelled each claim on 2026-11-10 (model jev-1.13-20260917, definition revision gold-guideline-v0.2).

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review