Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

The course consists of three parts. In the introductory part (lectures) students learn about basic concepts, applications, and techniques of remote sensing in archaeology, digital cartography, and aerial photography. In the practical part (practice) students learn the basic skills of aerial photographic data computer processing (vertical and oblique photographs, stereo pairs), basics of digital photograph processing and locating techniques, rectification, and mapping of individual contextual and thematic segments in digital environment. The integration of spatial data is performed by GIS tools where students learn practical skills and knowledge of manipulation with data layers (reclassification, making of relief digital model, making of other thematic data layers, georeferencing, interconversion of vector and raster formats), main analytical and investigative techniques (binary maps, viewshed maps, optimal path maps, making of trend maps, statistical significant and correlation tests etc.), and combining cartographic data layers with databases. In the seminar part students independently make their own projects of aerial photographic and GIS analyses on selected examples.