GIS for Archaeology and CRM

Dave at GisPilot.com emailed me a link to a cool use of the MapBender WMS to display the location of Pre-Columbian Mayan archaeological sites across Mesoamerica (wikipedia link for Mayan civilization). In order to load the numerous Mayan sites, a click of the zoom-in tool is needed. I was quite surprised by the number of sites documented in this project.

The Mapbender suite used in the creation of the Mayan archaeology site is a free, OGC compliant, Open Source Geospatial Foundation project that implements the management of spatial data services using PHP, Javascript, and XML. Though, even users with limited knowledge of these languages can produce mapping services relatively quickly. As expressed by the Mayan map creator:

“…mapping archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya culture in Middle America was the work of only a few days by a not very experienced user. It demonstrates the benefits of such GIS applications to the public services and helps present day archaeologist to analyze their data under new points of view and new questions…” (German translation probably source of sentence errors)

Also discussed by the WMS applications author and elsewhere, the public mapping of archaeology sites is usually restricted to sites that have above ground components, such as pyramids, temples, or earthworks. In the field of archaeology there is a culture, both institutionalized and mandated by law, that archaeology site locations are to be kept secret. It is a general fear of looting, pot hunting, medal detectorists, and vandalism that keep this notion alive. In situations such as the Mayan site WMS, accuracy and findability of sites can be controlled by available base map resolution and introduced error. Although, with some Mayan sites, it’s not to hard to find the 200ft tall temple.

The introduction of error and low resolution may hamper some research agendas, but have an idea that combining an accurate environmental database with a slightly inaccurate map may be a way around this. Much of the site specific data that researchers would be interested in consists of elevation, slope, soil type, bedrock geology, as well as the types and dates of artifacts. The data served by the WMS application can have very accurate site specific environmental data, derived from the sites true location, while the map of the site is squwed to a certain extent. I know this spatial encryption is far from fool proof, but it might give enough uncertinaty to site location to both satisfy the state laws on displaying site location and dissuade a would be vandal.

Okay, now that we have figured it out, let the Archaeo-Mashups roll!!!

Background on Mayan Civilization

The Pre-Columbian Mayan civilization flourished in Mesoamerica (central Mexico south to Costa Rica) from ~1000 BC to just before the the arrival of the Spanish in 1519. Across this span of time, the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization grew from little known roots, flourished into an incredible complex society, and declined in prominence with wide spread warfare. The Mayan are known for monumental architecture, high style art work, writing, and math to name a few. After the colonization of their homeland by the Spanish in the 16th century, the remaining Mayan people integrated into society and continued with their customs. Today, there are still many Mayan people in the area that the pre-Columbian civilization once occupied.

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