Projects / Programmes
Geographic information systems in anthropological research
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.03.02 |
Humanities |
Anthropology |
Social and cultural anthropology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S220 |
Social sciences |
Cultural anthropology, ethnology |
| H340 |
Humanities |
Archaeology |
| P515 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geodesy |
| T181 |
Technological sciences |
Remote sensing |
anthropology, geographical information systems, remote sensing, Mesoamerica, Maya archaeology
Researchers (3)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
15112 |
PhD Krištof Oštir |
Geodesy |
Researcher |
2003 - 2005 |
594 |
| 2. |
15688 |
PhD Tomaž Podobnikar |
Geodesy |
Researcher |
2003 - 2005 |
614 |
| 3. |
18930 |
PhD Ivan Šprajc |
Archaeology |
Head |
2003 - 2005 |
499 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The purpose of the project is to apply geographical information systems and remote sensing in the analysis and interpretation of a large corpus of archaeological field data pertaining to the Maya culture and collected in central parts of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. Due to the amount and nature of the available information, and considering the experiences we have already acquired using this methodology, the study is expected to lead to important novel results in the particular field of research, but should also have wider implications, both for the development of specific methods and techniques applicable to anthropological research and for the identification and formulation of the problems that can be most adequately solved through their application.
The material to be used in the analyses was collected in four archaeological reconnaissance seasons directed by the Principal Researcher and financially supported by international institutions. The location and surface characteristics of a number of formerly unknown archaeological sites were recorded, samples of surface material were collected and topographic surveys were carried out at major sites. The remains of settlements of different types are largely from the 1st millenium A.D., when the Maya culture attained its peak; the material vestiges observable on the surface are therefore rich and diverse, including architectural structures of different sizes, functions and types, sculpted monuments, some with hieroglyphic inscriptions, and multiple small finds. The problems we intend to solve, using satellite imagery of the area and geographical information systems, concern subsistence activities and land use, communication, sociopolitical organization and dependence of site location on environmental and related economic factors. Since the area has so far been practically unexplored, the expected results should represent a significant contribution to the understanding of the Maya culture in central lowlands of the Yucatan peninsula, and of the nature of relations between this and the neighboring regions.
