Scribd
Upload
33 views31 pages

Digital Mapping Spatial Analysis

Uploaded by

aybombtv
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
33 views31 pages

Digital Mapping Spatial Analysis

Uploaded by

aybombtv
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 31

Digital Mapping &

Spatial Analysis
Zach Silvia
Graduate Community of Learning Rachel Starry
April 17, 2018 Andrew Tharler
Workshop Agenda
1. Visualizing Spatial Data (Andrew)
2. Storytelling with Maps (Rachel)
3. Archaeological Application of GIS (Zach)
CARTO
● Map, Interact, Analyze

● Example 1: Bryn Mawr dining options

● Example 2: Carpenter Carrel Project

● Example 3: Terracotta Altars from Morgantina


Leaflet: A JavaScript Library
http://leafletjs.com
Storytelling with maps #1:
OdysseyJS (CartoDB)
Platform

Germany’s way through the World Cup 2014

Tutorial
Storytelling with maps #2:
Story Maps (ArcGIS)
Platform

Indiana Limestone (example 1)

Ancient Wonders (example 2)


Mapping Spatial Data with ArcGIS

- Mapping in GIS Basics


- Archaeological Applications
- Topographic Applications
Mapping Spatial Data with ArcGIS
What is GIS - Geographic Information System?
A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for
gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Rooted in the science of
geography, GIS integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location
and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D
scenes. With this unique capability, GIS reveals deeper insights into spatial
data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations - helping users make
smarter decisions. - ESRI GIS dictionary.

- ArcGIS by ESRI - industry standard, expensive, intuitive functionality, PC


- Q-GIS - open source, industry standard, less than intuitive, Mac and PC
- GRASS - developed by the US military, open source
- AutoDESK - counterpart to AutoCAD for topography
Types of Spatial Data in ArcGIS: Basics
Every feature on the planet has its own unique latitude and
longitude coordinates:

Houses, trees, streets, archaeological finds, you!

How do we collect this information?


- Remote Sensing: Aerial photography, satellite imaging,
LIDAR

- On-site Observation: total station data, ground penetrating


radar, GPS
Types of Spatial Data in ArcGIS: Basics
Raster vs. Vector projections

Raster Maps: “a representation of the world as a surface


divided into a regular grid of cells. Raster models are useful for
storing data that varies continuously, as in an aerial
photograph, a satellite image, a surface of chemical
concentrations, or an elevation surface”

Vector Maps: a representation of the world using points,


lines, and polygons. Vector models are useful for storing data
that has discrete boundaries, such as country borders, land
parcels, and streets.
Source: giscommons.org/introduction-concepts
Vector topography vs. raster, aerial topography at Bashtepa, Uzbekistan
The Ideal:
Map created in ArcGIS using raster and vector data imported into
photoshop and illustrator for an aesthetic finish.

(We still have yet to do this for Bashtepa)


Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS

ArcGIS is a powerful tool for projecting and querying mass amounts of


archaeological spatial data. ArcGIS, or open source alternatives such as
Q-GIS, alongside AutoCAD Civil are industry standard.

Uses:
- Visualizing a site’s “grid frame”
- Projecting spatial data about the excavation - architectural features,
small finds, soil layers and transitions, height levels,
- Measuring distance at a small and large scales
- Calculating area of features
Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS
Both raster and vector maps can (and should) be anchored to longitude
And longitude coordinates. Longitude and Latitude coordinates are
VECTOR points. They are conceptual and not real, converging at 0, 0 in
the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Africa. All spatial references in
lat./ long. are anchored to this point.

This is ideal, but not necessary, and in some cases impractical for
archaeological projects.

- Requires a GPS capable of >1cm accuracy (Trimble). NO


HANDHELDS!
Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS
Total Station
A scary looking, but simple piece of
equipment that uses a laser and
triangulation to establish points in
space in relation to other points in
space. Accuracy ~3mm!
- Not tied to long/lat, (more
expensive models now do)
- Data must be internally coherent
so the station “knows” where you are in
relation to other points in space.
- This requires the establishment of
an “internal” or “floating” grid.”
Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS
Floating Grids
Each archaeological site requires an
internally coherent data frame, known
as a grid, to which all points in space,
i.e. your archaeological data, are
spatially referenced. Without this your
documentation is irreparably flawed.

It is nothing more than an


x, y, z geometric plane to
which all points are
measured in meters rather
than lat./long.
Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS
X, Y, Z data
X = Easting
Y = Northing
Z = Height

- Total Station:
.txt file

- ArcGIS needs
.xml

- Code point
attributes in
excel
Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS
Archaeological Applications of ArcGIS
Topographic Mapping
TWO DAYS FOR COLLECTING DATA - TWO MINUTES TO
PROJECT !!!

ArcGIS has several built in apps for the


purpose of creating topo maps at the
click of a button.

The hard work is taking the points! These


number in the thousands and the work is
boring.
Topographic Mapping
Topographic Mapping
Topographic Mapping
Interpolation - visualizing the spatial relationship between 3D points.
Topographic Mapping
Topographic Mapping
Contour Topography
Overlaying
All within the same data frame, anchored to the same grid. Just a
click of a button!
Final Stage Making Your
Map Publishable
ArcGIS is horrible for making
aesthetically pleasing, polished
Maps. Major shortcoming.

- Analytic tool, not graphic.


- Capability to import into
Illustrator (vector) or
Photoshop (raster).
- Many sites use AutoCAD
Civil because the maps are
publishable and spatially
sound as you go.
Google Maps APIs: Geocoding

https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/
Additional Resources
● Mapknitter.org - make maps from aerial photos
● Timeline.knightlab.com - make interactive timelines
● Worldmap.harvard.edu - open-source GIS mapping platform

● Ancient World Mapping Center (Antiquity À-la-carte)


● Pleiades - Gazeteer of Ancient Places
● Digital Atlas of Roman and Medieval Civilization (DARMC)
● Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire (DARE)
● ORBIS: The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World

You might also like