Footprints and cartwheels on a pixel road: on the applicability of GIS for the modelling of ancient (Roman) routes

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. Roman roads are among the best-known examples of ancient networks of paths and have been widely studied using s...

ver descrição completa

Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Parcero Oubiña, Óscar, Güimil Fariña, Alejandro, Fonte, João, Costa García, José Manuel
Formato: capítulo de livro
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Repositorio:Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:minerva.usc.gal:10347/23916
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/10347/23916
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Materias::Investigación::55 Historia::5505 Ciencias auxiliares de la historia::550501 Arqueología
Descrição
Resumo: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. 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 re ection 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.