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Embracing uncertainty and challenging dualism in the GIS-based study of a palaeo-flood plain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Mark Gillings
Mark Gillings*
Affiliation:
University of Leicester
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Abstract

The following paper aims to take a critical look at the role that can be played within the broad context of landscape based archaeological research by Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It will be argued that the rapid acceptance of GIS by archaeologists has not been without its problems, with a number of archaeologists wondering whether, despite the hype, any new approaches have been introduced at all. This, it will be argued, is a direct result of GIS-based applications tending to work within a largely inherited theoretical framework and, more importantly, lacking at present a critical theory of practice.

The aim of the paper is move beyond critique to suggest how GIS can provide not only an efficient means of generating simple distribution maps, but a flexible environment within which to bridge developments in theory and practice. Using an on-going case-study centred upon flood events in the palaeo-flood plain of the river Tisza, the implications of using GIS to welcome uncertainty into the analytical environment are explored and a number of approaches advocated. The significance these developments have in expanding our interpretive frameworks is explored through the fore-grounding and challenging of a number of dualistic modes of thought in that area actively encouraged and reinforced by the use of traditional GIS.

Cet article vise à examiner le rôle que pourraient jouer les systèmes d'information géographiques (SIG) dans le cadre assez large des recherches archéologiques basées sur le paysage. Dans cet article, on montre comment le fait que les archéologues aient rapidement accepté les SIG a fait naître certains problèmes, si bien que, malgré le vif enthousiasme suscité par les SIG, un grand nombre d'archéologues se demandent si ces systèmes ont vraiment permis de créer de nouvelles approches. On essaie aussi de démontrer que ceci est le résultat direct des applications basées sur les SIG. En effet, celles-ci tendent à rester dans un cadre théorique très traditionnel, et, de surcroît, ne reposent à l'heure actuelle sur aucune théorie pratique valable.

Cet article va au-delà de la critique et suggère comment les SIG peuvent non seulement constituer un moyen efficace de générer des cartes de distribution, mais aussi fournir un environnement souple au sein duquel on peut rapprocher théorie et pratique. On examine la façon dont on utilise les SIG pour traiter les incertitudes dans des environnements analytiques et on préconise de nombreuses approches, en se basant sur une étude de cas en cours, portant sur les inondations dans les plaines inondables de la rivière Tisza, durant la période postglaciale. On examine aussi l'importance que peuvent avoir les SIG dans l'expansion de notre cadre d'interprétation, en étudiant soigneusement et remettant en question bon nombre de modes de pensée dualistes, méthode que l'on a activement encouragée dans ce domaine ainsi que renforcée par l'utilization des SIG traditionels.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Beitrag versucht eine kritische Betrachtung der Rolle, die geographische Informationssysteme (GIS) innerhalb des allgemeinen Zusammenhangs archäologischer Landschaftssforschung spielen kann. Es wird argumentiert, daß die rasche Akzeptierung von GIS bei Archäolog(inn)en nicht problemlos vonstatten gegangen ist: eine Reihe von Archäolog(inn)en wundert sich, ob – trotz aller Überschwänglichkeit – überhaupt irgendwelche neuen Forschungsansätze eingeführt worden sind. Dies, so meine Argumentation, ist eine direkte Folge von GIS-Anwendungen, die innerhalb eines größtenteils ererbten theoretischen Rahmens angewandt wurden und denen vor allem eine kritische Theorie der Praxis fehlte.

Das Ziel dieses Beitrages ist es, über Kritik hinausgehend, einen Vorschlag zu machen, wie GIS nicht nur ein effizientes Mittel zur Erzeugung einfacher Verbreitungskarten darstellen kann, sondern auch eine flexibles Milieu, innerhalb dessen Entwicklungen in Theorie und Praxis miteinander verbunden werden können. Unter Heranziehung einer laufenden Fallstudie über Überschwemmungen in der Paläoschwemmebene des Flusses Tisza werden die Implikationen des Verwendens von GIS in Hinsicht auf das Zulassen von Unsicherheit innerhalb des analytischen Milieus untersucht. Eine Reihe von Vorgehensweisen wird empfohlen. Die Wichtigkeit, die diese Entwicklungen für ein Ausdehnen unseres Interpretationsrahmens haben, wird durch das bewußte Infragestellen einer Reihe von dualistischen Denkweisen untersucht, die durch die Verwendung traditioneller GIS aktiv unterstützt und bestärkt werden.

Keywords

affordancebinary oppositionculture: nature dualityfuzzinessGISuncertainty
Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , 1998 , pp. 117 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 Sage Publications 

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