GIS In Archaeology

Vector and Raster Mapping

Data Description Information

The basic data for this homework assignment are stored in the GIS_In_Archaeology\Data folder.  Follow the instructions below to create a GIS map of archaeological sites in the Basin of Mexico.

Create a new map project and bring in the following GIS layers

1. States

       2. DEM

Modify the symbology of the DEM layer to be an elevational type color ramp (pick a color ramp that goes through a range of colors and shades).

Create a Hillshade layer from the DEM

Note: the DEM is in geographic degree coordinates whereas the elevation values are in Meters.  To compensate for this measurement unit discrepancy we need to modify the Z factor setting in the Hillshade dialog box.  Each cell in the DEM measures 0.0008333 degress which is approximately equivalent to 90 Meters so supply a Z factor of 0.00000926 to compensate for this.

Modify the transparency of the DEM layer so that the layers takes on a pseudo-3D look to it.

Bring in the SiteData table from the geodatabase.  Open the table up and explore it.  Compare the data fields to the information supplied in the SiteData.html metadata file.

Create a site point file from the SiteData table by going to the Tools menu and selecting AddXY Data.  Nore: Make sure you use the East coordinate as the X Field and North coordinate as the Y Field.

Reclassify the sites into different site categories in the following way:

Use an appropriate symbology to differentiate different sites in the site hierarchy tier classification specified above.

Create separate selection sets for each of the major time periods – Formative, Classic, Toltec and Aztec.  Note for periods like Formative make sure to include all sites that date to the formative period (ie. Early, Middle, and Late Terminal Formative).

Create a map layout that includes a separate map for each time period showing the distribution of sites and their position within the site hierarchy.  Make sure to include appropriate titles, north arrows, scale bars, etc.

Save the map document away as we will be using it in future exercises.

Hand in a printout (or e-mail a TIF image) of the map layout you created above.  Also write a short description of what trends you are seeing in the data from Formative to Classic to Toltec and finally the Aztec period.