Geovisualization and Archaeology: supporting Excavation Site Research

Abstract

Archaeology is a science where geographical and spatial factors are of capital importance; in this context Geo-visualization and Archaeology provide interesting challenges for each other and they can both benefit from a combined approach of their interests. Archaeological excavations in particular constitute an excellent field for geo-visualization applications, since they generate large amounts of data with complex structures in 3D space and in time. Consequently, visualization methods and tools can provide support to archaeological excavation analysis. This paper presents a visualization environment created for use by archaeologists in the prehistoric excavation site of Paliambela in Northern Greece. It is currently fully operational and is used on a steady basis in the excavation field. The system enables the archaeologist to create his/her own paths in information querying and synthesis and to save any concluded interpretations. This task is undertaken through the design of custom tools, based on principles arising through archaeological methodology and theory, structuring a useful geo-visualization framework for the assistance of archaeological interpretation. It is this need that the environment presented here attempts to fulfill.