🧑‍💻 Geographic information systems (GIS)

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is basically a database that is able to store, manage, analyse, edit, output, and visualize geographic data. In Archaeology it is often used to create sophisticated maps or to analyse geographical data, like which paths are the easiest to take or what can be seen from a certain point. The important part is here, that GIS works in 3D and is therefore able to do a lot more than one can do with a simple map.

Archaeology is rich in spatial information and is using GIS since its early beginnings in the 1990ies. It is used in surveys, excavations, analytics, and much more. While the first steps in GIS might be overwhelming, after a while it becomes an important tool. By learning certain methods, you can gain an insight into the GIS world.

👨‍🍳 Preparations

Installing GIS software

There are many software to choose from, some open source and free and others bound to a license and lots of functionality. Whatever software you choose, the first step is always installing it...
📖 Estimated reading time: 1 minute

🛠️ Individual Manuals

GeoTIFF to DEM

One thing I often come across is that I download a GeoTIFF from somewhere and want to have a 3D model. Cinema 4D is not able to read a GeoTIFF, but it can read a DEM, therefore we need a conversion...
📖 Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

• Be prepared: Installing QGIS
• Convert a GeoTIFF to DEM