This course will introduce you to the creation of digital maps and the management and analysis of digital geospatial data within a Geographical Information System, using archaeological case studies. It also introduces python scripting for geospatial data management and analysis.

10x2hr lecture/practical sessions, as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Archaeology and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Set Exercises - 50%

■ Project (2200 words) - 50%

■ Much of the Project proposal and Project will consist of GIS files, so the word counts given here are rough equivalents.

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the set exercises, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the project, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ provide an introduction to Geographical Information Systems software and its use within archaeology

■ provide an introduction to the use of python scripting to manipulate geospatial data for archaeological projects

■ develop an understanding of the underlying data, including recording methods and their limitations, within an archaeological context.

■ apply a range of geospatial analysis and visualisation techniques to archaeological problems, including site and landscape survey, modelling topographic and geophysical data, and 3-D archaeological modelling.

■ enable the acquisition of a range of advanced computer-based skills beyond the typical generic skills.

■ promote the use of appropriate computer-based techniques and technology within archaeology.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ critically evaluate the characteristics and quality of geospatial archaeological data

■ critically evaluate the relevance of specific analytical or visualisation methods to different archaeological problems

■ apply a range of software and scripting tools to address different archaeological problems at an advanced level

■ apply a range of software and scripting tools to manage, manipulate, and represent geospatial archaeological data at an advanced level

■ identify core geospatial concepts relevant to archaeological projects