Footprints and Cartwheels on a Pixel Road: On the Applicability of GIS for the Modelling of Ancient (Roman) Routes

César Parcero-Oubiña,Alejandro Güimil-Fariña,José Manuel Costa-García,João Fonte

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-04576-0_14

César Parcero-Oubiña, Alejandro Güimil-Fariña + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04576-0_14

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Abstract

AbstractGIS-based digital modelling tools, such as the well-known least cost paths (LCP), have been widely used in archaeology in recent years as ways of approaching forms of mobility in the past. Roman roads are among the best-known examples of ancient networks of paths and have been widely studied using such approaches. In this paper, we shall make a general reflection on the applicability of those tools for the modelling and analysis of ancient routes, with a special focus on Roman roads. Drawing from a case study in the NW Iberian Peninsula, we shall discuss certain aspects related to the potential and limits of Cumulative Costs, LCP and other related tools for the modelling and analysis of ancient roads. We will illustrate how the use of tools which explore potential mobility in less restricted ways can help to overcome some of the limitations of LCP.

Highlights

GIS-based digital modelling tools, such as the well-known least cost paths (LCP), have been widely used in archaeology in recent years as ways of approaching forms of mobility in the past
A brief account of the case of the NW Iberian Peninsula may be representative of research trends elsewhere
Having refined the model of cost, she was able to obtain a map of the route of those ancient roads on a very detailed scale, which can be used to guide a prospection based on the identification of hollow tracks in high- resolution airborne LiDAR data

Summary

14 Footprints and Cartwheels on a Pixel Road

The extensive use of new resources and techniques, such as geophysical surveying or airborne LiDAR technology, is slowly transforming the study of Roman roads through the development of more systematic multi-disciplinary surveys (Gethin and Toller 2014; Small 2016). Among these new approaches, digital modelling has contributed to a renewed analysis of Roman roads in different ways, in Spain as well as elsewhere in Europe. The digital modelling of human movement with GIS, based on the use of tools and concepts such as friction, cumulative cost or least cost paths (LCPs onwards), has been one of the most significant contributions. We shall briefly outline some of these recent approaches

14.2 GIS-Based Modelling of Roman Roads

14.3 The Case Study

14.4.1 Combining Optimal Routes for Different Friction Models

14.4.2 Overcoming the Limitations of the Single Least-Cost Path Model

14.4.3 From MADO Meshes to Multiple Discrete Optimal Connections

14.5 Final Comments

Findings

12 May 2018