Introduction to GIS

elective courses

Classroom

The classes will take the form of a lecture and practical exercises. First, there will be the introduction of relevant concepts and theoretical bases for GIS methodology. The greatest emphasis in their course will be put to prepare the participant for practical the use of theoretical knowledge, especially in the development of the GIS in archaeology as a specific case of GIS. The basis will be application of the method in solving specific research problems in archaeology, especially in planning research on specific archaeological sites.

The classes will take the form of a lecture and practical exercises. Obligatory participation in classes (2 absences allowed). First, important concepts and theoretical foundations of GIS methodology will be introduced. The greatest emphasis will be placed on preparing the participant for the practical use of theoretical knowledge, especially in the field of creating GIS in archaeology as a specific GIS case. The basis will be the application of the method in solving specific research problems in archaeology, especially in planning research on specific archaeological sites.

Examples of content (which will be modified according to needs, especially in the application of theoretical assumptions to practice):

1. Geographic Information Systems - definition and Terminology

2. history and theory of application of Geographical Information Systems in archaeology

3. Cartography, georeferencing, mapping, statistical-spatial analysis and others GIS concepts

4. practical classes - creating maps and plans for use in the field archaeological research

5. Ways of creating vector and raster data

6. Practical activities - creating plans, maps and illustration material using GIS

7 Main areas of GIS use - landscape archaeology, landscape modifications introduced by human activity

8. practical classes - reconstruction and analysis of the past cultural landscape

9. Digitisation of archival documents and their processing into the GIS, archaeological and geographical point of view

10. practical classes - example of AZP (Archeological Photography of Poland)

11. examples of GIS application in archaeology on an intra- and inter-site scale - positive and problematic theoretical solutions

12-14. practical classes

Bourrough P, McDonnel R., Principles of Geopraphical Information Systems, Oxford 1998

Chapman H., Landscape Archaeology and GIS, Tempus Publishing Ltd 2006

Clarke K.C., Getting started with geographic Information Systems, Oxford 2001

Conolly J., Lake M., Geographic Information Systems in Archaeology, Cambridge, University Press, 2006

Gotlib D., A. Iwaniak, R. Olszewski, GIS: Obszary zastosowań, Warszawa 2007

Mania W., GIS w archeologii. Jak zacząć od zera?, Poznań 2007

Miałdun J., Mirkowska I., Rączkowski W., Projekt systemu informacji archeologicznej [w:]

J. Nowakowski, A. Prinke, W. Rączkowski (red.), Biskupin… i co dalej? Zdjęcia lotnicze w polskiej archeologii, s. 193 – 201, Poznań 2005

Musson C., Horne P. (eds.) European Landscapes: Past, Present and Future (Culture 2000 Project Ref. No. CH-A2-UK-2077) – Final Report, 1 October 2004 – 31 October 2007. Culture 2000 and English Heritage, 2007

Rączkowski W., Archeologia lotnicza – metoda wobec teorii, Wydawnictwo Naukowe, UAM, Poznań 2002

Smith T.R., Menson S., Star J.L., Estes J.E, Requirements and principles of the implementation and construction of large-scale geographic information systems, International Journal of Geographical Information Systems1, 1987

Werner, P. Wprowadzenie do Systemów Informacji Geograficznej, wyd. II, Wydawnictwo Jark, Warszawa 2004

Wheatley D. and M. Gillings, Spatial Technology and Archaeology: The Archaeological Applications of GIS, CRC Press, 2002

Archaeological Spatial Analysis: A Methodological Guide, ed.Mark Gillings, Piraye Hacıgüzeller, Gary Lock (Routledge, 2020)

During the classes the student of MA program learns and deepens his knowledge about the place and importance of archaeology in the sciences and its specificity in terminology and methodology. He learns detailed concepts and terminology applicable in archaeology, with emphasis on the application of GIS in archaeology. He/she uses theoretical knowledge covering the key issues of archaeology and GIS in archaeology, i.e. terminology, theory and methodology. This provides a structured knowledge of scientific and technical work during field excavations. He/she has an in-depth knowledge of cultural institutions dealing with archaeological heritage and Cultural Resource Management in Poland and other European countries. He understands the complex relationships between the achievements of humanities, social sciences, science and the possibilities of their use in archaeology. He knows and understands advanced methods of analysis and interpretation of information contained in scientific publications. He knows and understands advanced methods of analysing the various creations of ancient communities using methods applied in the sciences and life sciences.

Student of master's studies during classes with GIS learns practical skills related to the aspect of archaeologist's work. He knows how to search, analyze, select and use information about archaeological sources and their context using literature and electronic media, and how to criticize and creatively interpret it in English. He/she recognizes, analyzes, uses, classifies and interprets archaeological sources, especially those of a spatial nature, selecting appropriate analytical methods, and critically analyzing and interpreting them creatively in English. He creatively uses the existing methods and techniques, adapting them to the needs resulting from the specificity of the studied issues. He is able to formulate research problems, create original concepts, formulate and test hypotheses in English on the use of GIS in archaeology. Applies knowledge in practice in order to formulate conclusions, argue and create synthetic summaries in English with different views. He has the ability to conduct scientific polemics in English. He selects the method of presentation of his research results in English, using also advanced information and communication methods. He is able to present the results of his research in English to various audiences. He also presents the results of his research in a written form, in English, using specialized scientific language and terminology appropriate for archaeology. He has knowledge of how to interact with other people within interdisciplinary teams. He/she is able to plan and organize work in the field of archaeological field research and to plan and organize work in scientific research. He/she is able to correctly determine the priorities for the realization of his/her own or commissioned research task. He/she uses the experience gained during the exercises to independently plan and carry out activities aimed at developing his/her own scientific career, as well as to search for opportunities to broaden knowledge and improve professional skills within and outside the university and advise others in this area.

After the classes, the student of MA program is ready to use his knowledge and skills and is able to confront them with the opinions of experts, especially in the field of science and life sciences. He is prepared to acknowledge the importance of artefacts, ecofacts and written sources as elements of mankind's cultural heritage and to evaluate the unique value of archaeological sources, including spatial data, and their role in recreating man's past. It is prepared to critically assess the interpretation of archaeological and historical sources using multi-faceted interpretations, as well as the use of its knowledge of the complex nature of culture, and is able to analyze different categories of sources for recreating the human past. It is prepared to disseminate knowledge about cultural heritage, emphasizing its importance for the understanding of the process of economic, social and cultural transformation, from ancient times to the present, and to promote knowledge about responsibility for the preservation of cultural heritage. The student is ready to initiate and develop cooperation with society in the field of archaeological and bioarcheological works and to take initiatives aimed at promoting, disseminating and protecting cultural heritage. The student is ready to recognise the need for lifelong learning and to improve their archaeological and practical skills.

Active participation in classes, short paper on the case study of the use of GIS in archaeology and design preparation of GIS for archaeological region