Application of mobile digital recording and GIS analysis of archaeological surface survey finds in the MapFarm project

Abstract

Recent technological developments in the field of mobile devices have influenced the way archaeological surveys are conducted. The collection, management and analysis of archaeological data have been enriched through the use of new digital applications and devices. This paper presents a case study of the application of a technique for digital recording of archaeological surface finds in the MapFarm project, along with the subsequent analysis. This technique relies on the capabilities of modern mobile devices and web technologies, combined with the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It enables the direct digital recording of the exact location of artefacts in the field, using the GNSS receiver of smartphones, allowing the rapid extraction of collected data and their analysis with GIS. The technique was applied during the systematic archaeological survey of selected prehistoric settlements in Aegean Thrace, in the context of the research project MapFarm, which aims to expand our knowledge about the Neolithic settlers of Aegean Thrace. The implementation of this technique has significantly reduced the time required for recording in the field, ensuring at the same time a more efficient and precise analysis of data. In addition, more firm conclusions emerged regarding the distribution of the archaeological finds in the context of the intra-site level and the site’s extent, by comparison to older surface survey techniques. Analyses performed through the GIS digital tools provided an improved approach to the distribution of surface finds at the settlements under investigation.