Program of the Round Table
"GIS technologies in archaeological researches"1) GIS application in archaeological researches
Afanas'ev G.E. (Moscow) Main approaches of using GIS and remote sensing technologies in archaeology
Pelevin A.T. (Moscow) Using GPS-based GIS in archaeogeophysical projects
Smekalov S.L. (S.-Petersburg) An error equation of old maps for GIS applications
Zhukovsky M.O., Pushkina T.A. (Moscow) Using GIS for collection, keeping, analysis and visualization of archaeological data
Vasiliev St.A. (S.-Petersburg) Automation of archaeological mapping. Difficulties in data organization
Trebeleva G.V., Gorlov J.V. (Moscow) An application of GIS to the project on paleogeographical and archaeo-topographical investigation of the bay of Sukhumi
Dovgalev A.A. (Stavropol') 3D visualization for historical-cultural inspection
Alekse'chuk S.N. (Moscow) 3D GIS in archaeology (Comprehensive approach in reconstruction of archaeological monuments)
2) Archaeology and remote sensing
Garbuzov G.P. (Rostov-on-Don) Problems of using space remote sensing data in archaeology
Roukavishnikov D.V. (Moscow) An experience of using Er Mapper 5.5 application in archaeology
3) Geophysical techniques in field archaeological researches
Kac M.J. (Moscow) An experience of magnetic analysis of archaeological objects
Vasiliev A.G., Abramov A.P., Kope'kin V.V., Morozov P.A. (Moscow) Underwater GPR archaeological surveysSupplement papers
Korobov D.S. (Moscow) Using GIS and aerial photography for mapping the traces of ancient agriculture in the Kislovodsk basin
Kovalevskaia V.B. (Moscow) Methods of computer mapping of the mass archaeological data
Smekalov S.L. (S.-Petersburg) Information system on the archaeological sites of the Eastern Crimea region
Afanas'ev G.E.
Main approaches of using GIS and remote sensing technologies in archaeologyPresented article is a review of the main approaches of the GIS and remote sensing application in archaeological researches from the beginning to our days. The author concerns the appearance of GIS technologies, aerial photography and satellite information in archaeology using three main directions of the science. First of it is connected with the heritage protection when GIS is used for recording and mapping of huge data bases with the information about archaeological sites. Special attention was paid on the method of "red flags model" that is used for prediction of the location of different types of archaeological data. Second direction of GIS application is the investigation of spatial patterns of archaeological data for historical reconstructions that includes the application of spatial analysis. At last the direction of the landscape archaeology is considered in connection with projects integrated GIS and remote sensing. The history of using aerial photography by Soviet archaeologists is presented. The final part of the article concerns the description of archaeological GIS "Kislovodsk" that was made by the team of scholars headed by the author.
Pelevin A.T.
Using GPS-based GIS in archaeogeophysical projects
Since 1998 the research-and-production center "Geotekhnologiya" has been using GIS and GPS technologies during geophysical prospection of archaeological sites. From this period a number of GIS was made on regional scale as well as on local scale of archaeological sites and of the parts of their prospection.
Every GIS-object is connected with its spatial information and could be described by means of its coordinates according to the accuracy of the GPS-receiver. We could use code-receivers to get the geographical information of objects as points and lines. Phase-receivers give us a possibility to make detailed topographic maps as digital terrain models for different purposes including the archaeological interpretation of the relief of the site. Information collected by GPS-receivers is processed by special computer applications and could be easily exported to GIS.
The author showed the examples of GPS-based GIS obtained during the prospection on the territory of the national park "Kulikovo Pole", in Memphis (Egypt) and on the stronghold of "Gornoe Aekho" (Kislovodsk). Computer programms ArcView, GPSurvey, Pathfinder Office, Surfer, Photoshop, MapEdit, EasyTrace were used.
Smekalov S.L.
An error equation of old maps for GIS applications
Analysis of the information of different types including maps of previous centuries could help to check the development of cultural and historical landscape in the course of time. GIS technologies could make the procedure of referencing and combining of different maps. But there is an important problem of our knowledge about the errors of the old maps. The paper concerns the estimations of a measurement accuracy of spacing intervals on Kertch peninsula for a map of Crimea of 1817 drawn up by the general-major S.A. Mukhin (scale 1:168000 - four versts in one in.) and for a map made by the Military topographic depot in 1865-1876 (scale 1:126000 - three versts in one in.). The obtained outcomes will be used in GIS created for the archaeological sites of Eastern Crimea.
Let's tell about a technique of fulfillments of accuracy estimations on an example of Mukhin's map. Firstly a system of satellite navigating (GPS) coordinates of large number of objects was determined by the author on Kertch peninsula. It made a possibility to reference Mukhin's map to the modern coordinate system WGS 84, measurements on which one we could have accepted for "exact". The matching of the degree grid pattern on a map by Mikhin with a grid for WGS 84 has shown, that length of an arc of one degree along a meridian for Mukhin's map is less than "exact" value around 4,5 km or 4 %. Length of an arc of one degree of latitude (at northern latitude 45? 30') on Mukhin's map is more than WGS 84 degree length around 3 km or also 4 %. As the errors have close value, but miscellaneous signs, it is possible to expect that the map made by Mukhin will give a value close to "exact" at measurement of spacing intervals under angles of 30-60? to a meridian.
The comparison of grid patterns characterizes the distortions of a scale of the map as a whole, but does not allow to estimate the proportion observance among the separate segments of the map. To find the answer to this question, the detail comparison of Mukhin's map with the map of General Headquarters USSR (أط) of a scale 1:100000 in the limits of Kertch peninsula was conducted. Among the points with known GPS coordinates seven ones were selected that uniquely identified on both maps. For these seven points we have constructed the table of mutual spacing intervals keeping 21 elements, 11 of which one were independent. The values of 11 intervals (known because of GPS measurements) were determined on the map of أط and Mukhin and compared. The difference of distances on the map of أط and measured by GPS in all cases is no more than 100 m. The distribution of absolute and relative errors of measurement of spacing intervals was obtained for Mukhin's map. It depends on the value of spacing interval along a meridian and parallel. The analysis allows to make following conclusions: Mukhin's map gives smaller value on the average for measurements along longitude and greater value along latitude for small spacing intervals of 4-40 km. Though the average value of a relative error is not great (about 2 %) the relative error can reach value 10 % for separate measurement.
Similar estimations conducted for the map of 1865-1876 that gives an average value of a relative error of measurements less than 0.2 %, and a value of errors of separate measurements up to 4 %. An error of length of an arc of one degree for a grid of this map is less than 0.5 %.
Zhukovsky M.O., Pushkina T.A.
Using GIS for collection, keeping, analysis and visualization of archaeological data
In 2000 the Smolensk archeological expedition started the work on creation of a digital archive of all available data collected during 130 years of field and cabinet analysis of a complex of archeological sites of Gnezdovo. The archive includes text descriptions, excavation reports, trench delineations made level-by-level, field diaries, inventories, photos and figures of finds, archeological and topographic schedules and schemes of different scales, geographical and topographic maps, archive cards and figures, data of remote sensing of a surface etc. The most effective tools for unification, integration, storage and comprehensive analysis of a heterogeneous massif of such data are GIS and spatial databases that permit to correlate heterogeneous information blocks, using spatial attributes. The unified centralized user's entrance is invoked to access the information ensuring parallel manipulation by the data from one point. The geoinformation component of a system is provided by ArcView 3.2. and AutoCAD 2000 Overlay - Land Development Desktop - MAP, unit of databases by DBMS ACCESS 2000. The paper is dedicated to a general description of the project and also more detailed consideration of a number of the approaches and technologies of collecting, digital processing and representation of the archeological information. The technique of management of the digital field documentation, technology of creation of digital photo panoramas, construction of digital models of a relief developed within the framework of implementation of the project were specially reviewed.
Vasiliev St.A.
Automation of archaeological mapping. Difficulties in data organization
Usage of GIS applications in archaeology has its specific and meets certain difficulties. The first one refers to data exchange between various GIS systems due to different graphic and textual data organization. The second one consists in costliness, complexity and generalized facilities of GIS available on the market. The third question is the individuality of archaeological projects that requires a researcher to develop his own system from the starters. Just this feature slows down archaeological GIS development. The fourth question deals with obtaining the original data massive. Each fellow has to develop it personally, though could download necessary data set from a centralized remote system (like site name, area binding etc.). The latter would allow a user adding extra or edit existing data on his own, because the basic registration records of archaeological sites are similar worldwide.
Having in mind Russia has preserved the traditional nationwide centralized system on archaeological sites registration, development of an electronic client-server system would be the clue to make progress in archaeological data exchange including GIS. But this project is much time consuming and high-priced, that draws it to start some day far in the future.
The author proposed a new idea of a stand-alone archaeological application that would work with most popular GIS in the dynamic mode. The system called ARCHEOGRAF (http://iimk.nw.ru/rus/projects/archeograf.htm) having been developed in IHMC RAS since 2002. The program describes sites in several specialized chapters: sites names, area binding, research, archives and book references, illustrations, chronology and land registry. The main feature of the program consists in typology hierarchy and transfer selected data to a GIS for mapping using XY coordinates for further analyses. The hierarchy of types allows to select, for example, SETTLEMENT, and all its kinds due to the levels subordination. The same refers to relational chronological periods, geographical and cultural regions. Dynamic connection mode with GIS allows to view information in a pop-up window on a mapped site, edit its location or add a new site to ARCHEOGRAF just through a GIS. The program also has rich options for report creation and export. Sites components and artifact structure for digital mapping is the next step to develop. This stand-alone and flexible to configure archaeological application targeted to an end-user not much computer literate, gives one simplicity in usage and broad possibilities for individual research of archaeological material.
Trebeleva G.V., Gorlov J.V.
An application of GIS to the project on paleogeographical and archaeo-topographical investigation of the bay of Sukhumi
Within the framework of the grant of RBRF No 01-06-80158 "Historical and paleogeographical reconstruction of Caucasian Black Sea coast in the antic epoch" in 2001-2002 the Black Sea expedition of the Institute of Archaeology RAS conducted the geo-archeological exploring including the complex investigation of archeological memorials and getting their precise geographical coordinates using GPS-receiver. It allowed beginning the creation of regional problem-oriented GIS of Abkhazia coast. As a geo-basis we used the 1:10 000 scale maps, panchromatic aerial photography of the years of 1960-70s and the multispectral space shot of KFA-1000 with the resolution of 4 m. Besides of archeological data there were used the data of paleogeographical investigation in GIS project. The preliminary reconstruction of Caucasian Black Sea coast was marked as a separate layer for the peak of Fanagorian regression, i.e. at the beginning of VII Cent. B.C. and for the peak of Nimphean transgression, i.e. at VI Cent. A.D.
Dovgalev A.A.
3D visualization for historical-cultural inspectionIn the present moment GIS have passed a long-lived route of the development and it successfully manages some problems as a whole. However the expand of fields of computer applications results to appearance the new questions requiring new methods and approaches. These new approaches concern also fundamental sciences in general and archeological researches in particular.
During the field works made by the Federal unitary enterprise "Nasledie" we come to the solution of changing from two dimensional schedules to creation of virtual models of terrain. The latter would allow to receive more precise information about terrain, rather than "classic" maps, to ensure the review of objects from any point of space (from a bird's-eye view or from a surface etc.) and to simplify a decision-making process.
The analysis of available cartographical data was conducted for getting more information; the modern relief of terrain was also studied. The interpretation of the latter and using a tachymeter for the topographical work created a basis for construction of digital terrain model of a relief (DTM). The construction of DTM was conducted with allowance of basic geographic expressions: horizontal marks of altitudes, rivers, marks of water boundaries, reference bends of a relief etc.
The vast capabilities of the Erdas IMAGINE computer application have allowed fast and effectively to make a visualization with help of a program module of Imagine Virtual Gis.
The built three-dimensional "shaded" model of terrain includes the miscellaneous integrated data, such as: raster and vector data, space satellite information, 3D models of objects etc. The big advantage of the built three-dimensional model is that the activity is conducted in an actual geographic system and not with the relative coordinates.
All this essentially improves the quality of the design solutions, including the high-powerful means of visualization, the capability of creating the "fly-around" model in real time, the broad possibilities of adaptation of built 3D models. Moreover, there is a capability of the operating and comprehensive coordination of integrated virtual model of a suspected place of activities with the customer and by that the exception of disagreements of different kinds at early stages of rescue excavation projects.
Alekse'chuk S.N.
3D GIS in archaeology (Comprehensive approach in reconstruction of archaeological monuments)
The mass of the information is stored during the complex study of archaeological artefacts which is arranged on many sorts of sources. Such information is separate and there is no common direction that hampers after-field processing of these materials.
The purpose of complex reconstruction is overlapping the maximum of different information about an investigated site in one source. The work directed on development of a technique of complex reconstruction started in 1999. At the first stage the reconstructions were based only on one source - the drawing of ancient dwellings.
As a result three-dimensional model was created which retried in accuracy all architectural features of objects (Golden Horde manor, Selitrennoe site, Astrakhan region, excavations by E. Zilivinskaya). The central house had four main building periods, during which the considerable changes happened in an interior of locations, whereas the general carrying walls practically did not vary. On this basis at first the 3D model of external walls was constructed, then the reconstructed of internal structures of all four periods were sequentially interposed into it. Thus, we have received four models of one structure, reflective its state in various building periods.
At the following step the three-dimensional model of site Nastasino (Moscow region, excavations by A. Engovatova) was created. The main idea was overlapping of two sources of the information. These sources were the topographical map of a modern surface of the site and the topographical plan of the excavated subsoil. First of all the three-dimensional model of site occupied the cape was constructed. Then the subsoil at the excavated part of a settlement was separately reconstructed. On a final stage these two models were combined.
In 2001 the work on complex reconstruction of Tell Hazna (Syria, excavations by R. Munchaev and N. Merpert) started. Originally the three-dimensional model of the tell was constructed on the base of high-altitude marks and contour lines of a topographical map. Then the stratigraphical profiles were inserted in model, in which the appropriate area was cut beforehand. Further the drawing with finds created separately was on-line to the main project (16 stamps and their reprints). This drawing was interlinked through a key field to the external text database of finds. Thus, we have received the reconstruction represented on a figure 5. The developing technique has transferred on a new stage at starting of works on Tell Hazna project: from the simple graphic representation of the results of reconstruction to the information model, with the possibility of the analysis of the on-line external databases.
Hereafter the connection of other sources of the information, such as aerial photographs, cartographical material etc is planed. Thus we shall receive the multilevel geographical information model of an archaeological site, which will combine a set of the interdependent graphics and text information. So such complex technique of reconstruction has the following advantages: multilevel structure (possibility of making a connection of various sources of the information), open architecture (possibility of making any additions, changes and deleting of the information at any moment), georeference component (interdependent graphics and text data).
These complex reconstructions have no peer to themselves among other sources on informative saturation, visualization, speed and convenience of processing. For more information you could visit my web site www.arheo3d.narod.ru.
Garbuzov G.P.
Problems of using space remote sensing data in archaeology
The data of space remote sensing of the Earth (SRSE) are close by the information capabilities and technology of the analysis to the conventional data of aerial photography. Distinctive features of a space data are low-level detail, large spatial scope, multispectral origination and orientation to digital technologies. These qualities determine the main area of usage of a shared space data in archeological researches as a support of a regional archeological GIS by the spatial data, built on their basis: from simple raster layers-substrates up to theme vector layers which are growing out of composite theme classification of initial space snapshots. A level of a possible interplay with the GIS sets both the development phases of the SRSE-data processing and the degree of their influencing on an informative part of the archeological project. Simplistically it is possible to present two versions of participation of a space data as a theme of an archeological GIS. In the first version the participation limits by topographic support of the project in conditions of absence or incompleteness of a cartographical data. In this case the accessibility of initial space snapshots is important, which one is rather foolproof to turn into the georeferenced spatial data. Thus the technology of data processing reduced to preliminary radio brightness correction of the maps and their transformation using the sets of reference points. In the most series approach the raster map is vectorized with the purpose of creation of a valuable vector map of the regional project. In the second version we deal with the information about spatial allocation of spectral properties of a surface that is kept in multispectral (multizonal) space snapshots. As a rule the algorithms of classification with training samples will be used for a data analysis, i.e. sampling of test surface segments with a known optical characteristics. In this version the space data serve an independent objective source of information influential in outcomes of the project as a whole. A base point of a contact here is a research and renovation of a landscape (landscape archaeology) and associated with it a problem of simulation of spatial arrangement of different types of archeological monuments.
Roukavishnikov D.V.
An experience of using Er Mapper 5.5 application in archaeology
The integrated software package ER Mapper of the ER Mapping company (version 5.5) is used actively in the projects making by Institute of Archeology RAS and by the Federal unitary enterprise "Nasledie" (Stavropol Territory). The basic aspect of the ER Mapper application is the decoding of aerial photography data for needs of field archaeology and the creation of georeferenced themes of vector maps and situational schedules. This problem is very relevant for modern archaeology allowing universal application of GIS. However modern GIS being in the main western approach, and built with the allowance of standards and inquiries of foreign countries, poorly meet the requirements of domestic archaeology. On the present moment the main problem in this area is an absence of in-depth topographic data of a small-scale. The partial solution of this problem can become ER Mapper application for creation of this data. Certainly it will be inconvenient to create an in-depth vector map of a large region or area, but it is quite substantial for the solution of special problems in a smaller scale, for example for the investigation of the group of monuments (settlements or cemeteries). It can use both aerial photography and digitized paper maps as a source of the cartographical information. Outcomes of image processing and themes of vector schedules can be exported in formats of a different GIS (MapInfo, ArcInfo) and utilized for the solution of spatial problems and activity directly in the field.
Other aspect of the ER Mapper application is the processing of field delineations. The program allows fast and simple to remove the invoice of graph paper from the map of delineation automatically, having given an actually fair copy of delineation in outcome. Such map becomes suitable as for further automatic or semiautomatic digitization, and for printing as an off-the shelf delineation.
The third version of usage of the ER Mapper can be the application of a technique of mosaic algorithm, which one will be used basically for creation of integral cover from separate intersected aerial photos, but also for pasting panoramic exposures of large profiles of the trenches or barrows and separate parts of delineations of the large format.
One more individual usage of vector component of ER Mapper is the creation of profile delineation under the raster map (photo). It can be useful when the field delineations are lost or when the profile is inexpressive or is not clear on any natural causes.
Kac M.J.
An experience of magnetic analysis of archaeological objects
Research-and-production center "Geotekhnologiya" has a wide experience of application of geophysical methods at analysis of archeological objects of broad chronological range and in different geographic conditions. Thus the most productive, economic and informative method is the magnetic prospection.
Objects traditionally allocated during magnetic prospection are fireplaces, furnaces and ovens, earthenware kilns and metallurgical forges, embankments and ditches, postholes of different kinds. Such objects were found during geophysical examination of Ancient Russia monuments of Kulikovo Pole and in Moscow region. Magnetic surveys of Kulikovo Pole monuments were systematic and long-term. We made a magnetic observation on separate monuments with a grid of 1 ُ 1 m covered more than 2.5 ha. As by such scale of activities the quantity of a materials gathered during field-walking becomes statistically significant, there is a capability of an integrated analysis of the data of magnetic prospection and the outcomes of this collecting. For such analysis we offered to use such parameter as a density of finds. The associated analysis of density of finds and magnetic density has allowed us to reveal a plan of studied settlement.
Our activities conducted in ancient Memphis (Egypt) have shown that it is observed the good data correlation of magnetic survey with a micro relief in these geographic conditions that has allowed to learn the correlation links and to make a zonation of the observed region. The same technique was applied at the analysis of the Alanic stronghold in Kislovodsk. Unified data analyses of magnetic survey and micro relief have allowed confidently to allocate here the oddments of walls, fireplaces and areas of a burnt stuff concentration.
The author offers an algorithm of calculation of operational effectiveness of magnetic method at archeological surveys grounded on numerous excavations on the results of prospection.
Vasiliev A.G., Abramov A.P., Kope'kin V.V., Morozov P.A.
Underwater GPR archaeological surveys
The activities on GPR examination of a seabed (Chushka point, Black sea) and a coast of the Taman' embayment were conducted in a region during archeological expeditions of 2000 and 2002. With the help of the underwater model of the ground penetrating radar the pieces of the wall foundation of width up to 15 meters and a ditch from the southern part of a wall were found under a layer of an ooze and sand at the bottom of the embayment. The sizes of a wall and a ditch have given the basis for the conclusion that the so-called Cimmerian Wall preserved in our days in the head of the Taman' embayment and a stone foundation and a ditch in the southern part of the Chushka point are the parts of the same shore fortification. According to our opinion, it is that wall and ditch which defend a peninsula, as was written by Strabo (book XI, chapter II). In the paper the outcomes of researches obtained with the help of the technologies of GPR survey (surface and underwater marine models), space imaginary and classic archeological methods will be shown.
Korobov D.S.
Using GIS and aerial photography for mapping the traces of ancient agriculture in the Kislovodsk basin
The paper concerns the application of aerial photography and GIS for mapping and analysis of the traces of ancient terraced agriculture. These traces by quantities were saved in a marvelous spot of the North Caucasus - unique both because of nature and archaeology - the Kislovodsk basin. This famous resort place is in 30 kilometers to the North from the highest point of Europe - mountain of Elbrus - and well-known by the numerous curative mineral springs.
The uniqueness of this place is stipulated by the fact that from the Middle Ages to the appearance of the Russians here the given territory practically was not populated, and numerous archaeological sites have saved their appearance, not were exposed to human interference. Besides the local North-Caucasian peoples, actually about today are not engaged in ploughable agriculture, preferring it cultivation of fine horned cattle and handraise. Due to this the various archaeological monuments were preserved here in primeval aspect.
During the archaeological prospection that our team made in 1996-2000 we repeatedly paid attention on the traces of terraced agriculture, which are perfectly visible on a surface how to be spoken, unaided eye. Per the last years the special researches devoted to artificial terracing of slopes in the Kislovodsk basin have appeared (G.E. Afanas'ev, I.A. Arzhantseva). In this paper I present only the preliminary results, which are made at analysis of a small part of the basin located between current of the rivers Berezovaya and Kabardinka.
The first stage of investigation consists in mapping of terraces with the help of aerial photography. I used the experience of georeferencing, gained by the specialists from the Federal unitary enterprise "Nasledie" (Stavropol Territory). The georeferencing was carried out with the help of "MapInfo 6.0" program. As a base map I use the digitized paper list of a scale 1:200,000 that was rectified using the known values of a longitude and latitude. Then using ground control points the second layer with the digitized paper map of a scale 1:25,000 was put on (fig. 1). By a similar way the other layers were added: a layer with a space shot of KFA-1000 with a resolution of a pixel in 4 m, and also 20 vertical aerial photographs made in September 1970 of a scale of 1: 22,000 (fig. 2).
The special procedures were used during the photo-interpretation. Each snapshot was scanned, translated in the format of ER Mapper 5.5 program and was plotted with the help of rectification on a raster base map. Then they were studied through algorithms of the ER Mapper program (fig. 3). Two algorithms were applied:
1) Colordrape Algorithm, that has two layers: a Pseudocolor layer showing the Digital Terrain Model as color, and an Intensity layer showing the DTM structure by shading. In this case the Sun Shade angle of 45 degrees was used. Thus the differences of a relief come to light which can be interpreted as the traces of agriculture.
2) Create Slope (degrees) Algorithm demonstrates the use of the Slope filter, which calculates the slope, or steepness, for a DTM. The representation of this algorithm as the pseudo-colour table "azimuth" reveals presence of linear structures on a surface, which can be interpreted as boundaries of ancient terraces.
The recognized such manner 115 terraces of total square more than 40 hectares were plotted on aerial photographs as a polygonal vector layer (fig. 4). Having removed layers from aerial photographs, we obtain a map with the terraces, marked on it (fig. 5). A space shot or a large-scale topographical map can be used as a basis for this mapping. This zoomed part of such a map demonstrates a high degree of exactitude of plotting the traces of terraced agriculture.
Basically, at this stage it is possible to consider that the task of mapping is managed. However, there is a natural problem: "And what could we do further with these data?" How can we date the traces of terraced agriculture in this region? To what archaeological sites they can be connected?
We can use the methods of the spatial analysis trying to answer these questions. I realized it with the help of the Spatial Analyst 1.0a, added in the package of ArcView GIS 3.3.
The vector layer obtained at aerial photo interpretation can be imported to ArcView using the universal compiler, which is the standard unit of a MapInfo system (fig. 6). With the help of this tool the layer with terraces were transformed and added to the project of GIS "Kislovodsk", about which G.E. Afanas'ev has written in this volume.
Then this vector polygonal layer was studied by means of the Assign Proximity (fig. 7), Find Distance (fig. 8) procedure, and some other. However, the most interesting outcomes were reached at mapping the radius distance from the sites of different periods.
Here I should stop on some assumptions necessary as introductory conditions of the analysis. The first assumption is that all terraces are considered as practically simultaneous, that is they were made in one historical period, and the regularities of their allocation answer regularities of allocation in space of archaeological settlements of the defined cultures. The second assumption is connected to a quantity of prospected sites, which should be maximum complete. In this case it is supposed, that as a result of durable archaeological prospection the Kislovodsk basin is near to be the completely investigated area in the North Caucasus, that, certainly, does not eliminate the appearance of a small number of new sites. At last, the allocation of hypothetical zones around the settlements was based on the ethnological sources. According to them, there is a concept that the most valuable croplands should place in one-kilometer radius around a settlement. At the moment such important factors as the different quality of land or the different size and social importance of archaeological sites are ignored in this paper. All the settlements are perceived as rather simultaneous and equivalent, that also is another assumption at simulation.
As the first step the analysis of spatial distribution of the Early Iron Age settlements (Koban culture, IX-IV Cents. BC) was made. There are 16 sites of this period on the represented map. If we construct a map with one-kilometer zones around Koban settlements, it becomes obvious, that not all the terraces are placed in this zone (fig. 9). There are 50 terraces from 115 outside, which total square reaches 20 hectares. Thus it is possible to assume, that we can explain the origin of only 50 % of terraced fields by proximity to the Early Iron Age settlements in the investigated region.
A map with one-kilometer areals around the strongholds of the Roman period (Sarmatian culture, I Cent. BC to III Cent. AD) demonstrates even larger farness of the terraces from the hypothetical centres of their origin (fig. 10). There are only 6 sites in studied area, and all of them are situated at one place with the later strongholds of Early Middle Ages. It is obvious, that the space allocation of terraced agriculture is not explained by the presence of the Sarmatian antiquities. If we plot a one-kilometer zone around of them on a map, only 27 terraces by total square hardly less than 9 hectares are placed inside.
The most precisely correlation between space allocation of terraced slopes and archaeological sites is demonstrated by a map indicating of a one-kilometer zone around 22 Early Medieval strongholds (Alanic culture, IV-VIII Cents. AD). We can see that the overwhelming majority of terraces are placed in a one-kilometer zone around of them (fig. 11). Outside this zone there are only 6 terraced slopes by total square less than 1.5 ha. Thus, the analysis demonstrates the strong space connection of the terraced fields with the Alanic strongholds.
It is curious, that the spatial distribution of 25 open settlements of the same epoch do not allow us to observe the same results (fig. 12). As well as in the case with Early Iron Age settlements, only approximately half of terraces are situated in a one-kilometer zone around of the Alanic settlements - 46 of 115, thus their summarized square is hardly more than 50% of total square of all mapping terraces - 21.5 ha. Probably, the spatial distribution of the Alanic settlements do not reflect a real picture of Early Medieval population, as the data on them are mainly founded on the materials gathering during field walking and can not be powerful argument for the benefit of real existence of inhabited place of living. The strongholds in most cases demonstrate the rests of stone-made buildings that are visible by an unaided eye.
Thus, the spatial analysis of the traces of terraced agriculture convinces that only Early Medieval strongholds demonstrate the most precise connection with the croplands. Certainly, there is a possibility of non-simultaneous origin of different terraced slopes, or re-using of some of them in later time.
The further step of research consists in allocation of hypothetical economic zones around Early Medieval centres, based on the conventional technique of Thiessen tessellation, by means of ArcView 3.1 program (Derive Slope procedure). Now it is possible to light the preliminary observations made on the given test sample.
Using the data of 22 strongholds, it is possible to construct Thiessen polygons on the basis of calculated distance between centres that could reflect the hypothetical division of territory (fig. 13). It is necessary to note that in this case the elementary procedure of two-dimensional division of space around the strongholds was used which are perceived as equivalent.
According to the results of the analysis, areas of the terraced agriculture are rather precisely placed inside the boundaries of the constructed Thiessen polygons. Practically there are no terraces placed on their boundaries, and some strongholds seem to be a center, around of which terraced fields are placed. Totally there are ten of such centers, among them there is one polygon without terraces (fig. 14). It seems to be interesting to ask the question what amount of the population could be supported from this agricultural neighborhood? With this purpose I converted to accounts offered in the archaeological literature. Usually authors presume the average norm of grain consumption a man around 250-300 kg per year, that is characteristic for the population of the North Caucasus according to the ethnographic data. Using also the ethnographic information about the productivity of grain cultures (barely and corn), we can roughly calculate an amount of the population, which could be fed by surrounding croplands. Certainly, the similar calculations do not allow to define a real number of the population, living on a site, as it is too much assumptions: it is unknown the diet of the population, the grain cultures and their real productivity, the system of land-utilization, the other forms of agriculture etc. That is, this calculation of a hypothetical number of the population is no more than hypothesis demonstrating one of the ways of demographic simulation and which is not claiming for a final decision.
The obtained results of the calculation show that from 5 up to 40 people could live simultaneously on a stronghold feeding from an area of terraced agriculture. This output allows looking at the Early Medieval strongholds of the Kislovodsk basin as at the places of living of one - two large or one - four small families. The dominance of small family as the form of the family relationships for the Alans of the North Caucasus, in particular on the example of the Kislovodsk basin, was already marked by the scholars, including my special research of the Alanic burial rites.
Thus, the offered technique of mapping the ancient traces of the terraced agriculture leave the analysis of a demographic situation and a system of population in the Kislovodsk basin during Early Middle Ages on a new level. That was possible because of using the abilities of the GIS and aerial photo interpretation.
Kovalevskaia V.B.
Methods of computer mapping of the mass archaeological data
The Caucasian archaeological mass material - glass articles, beads in particular, warrior belts, amulets, mirrors being the most widely spread excavated artifacts of the 1st mil. A.D., are indicative of a number of ethno-cultural processes in early societies. The uniqueness of archaeological mass materials consists in their being the most widely spread artifacts, easy to computerize.
The creation of a compact and well-structured database will enable one to examine simultaneously a vast volume of information pertaining to several collections and to bring together all the geographically dispersed artifacts, both long since discovered and newly found ones.
The introduction of computational genogeographic mapping, elaborated by prof. Ju.Rychkov, to archaeological materials has greatly enhanced the possibilities of archaeological researches. With the use of the continious interpolation function (spline-interpolation, average weight interpolation) it became possible to create quantitative models for the distribution of a number of leading forms of mass archaeological materials and compare them. The analysis of the processed data not only in time but also in space is of particular interest.
With the growth of the database with aid of programs GGMag and others one will be able to trace trade routes and inter-regional cultural relations, the sequence of techniques and unknown workshops as well as to date more accurately both the funerary complexes and the artifacts proper.
The maps of general components draw to us those laws, which stand behind a joint variation of those artifacts, in space, which were made on the place (having thus the centre of concentration within the limits of a map window, investigated by us) or had the centre of manufacture outside of investigated space and imported by the certain ways on the different chronological periods.
Smekalov S.L.
Information system on the archaeological sites of the Eastern Crimea region
In the published paper the construction of an archeological GIS is esteemed having clear frame for common users and resting basically on the shared software. The structure of a system consists of the database on archeological monuments, the GIS, the unit of the links on external resources and the unit of cartographical data. The frame of the relational database is described; the tables of it are constructed with allowance for the standard of the description of archeological monuments recommended by the European Council. A number of indexes describing a level of archeological knowledge about the region mapped by means of histograms on archeological maps are entered at the discussion of a problem about representation and analysis of the information about the archeological sites in GIS. The spatial referencing of the data is based on coordinates of objects obtained by means of a system of satellite navigating (GPS). Modern cartographical information and pre-revolutionary maps will be used both in GIS as the topographic bases. The features of usage of old maps are discussed, and the method of an estimation of their accuracy is offered. The level of actual filling of a system is described by the information about the archeological monuments of Crimea by the beginning of 2003.