Archaeologists navigate their way to Monmouth

By: Sarah Sherry
Contributing Writer

On Feb.7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morgan Room of Poling Hall, an archaeology lecture on “GIS and Archaeology” was given by Christopher Fasano, associate professor of physics, Emily Zvolanek, a Monmouth graduate participating in a post-baccalaureate program and Carrie Hritz, a research associate in the department of anthropology at Washington University.

Fasano started the presentation with some historical information on GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and commented, “My real field is theoretical physics, so I am kind of an outsider to this.” Fasano has really gotten into learning about GIS, and even planned a GIS convention but “doesn’t know quite how that happened.” He talked about “What is a map?” and the different definitions that could be given, such as a representation of spatial relationships, a representation of events or places using spatial relationships. A map can also be a philosophical, theological or cultural statement reflecting the view of the map maker. After saying most early maps were drawings of what people thought the maps looked like, and showing a map which dated to circa 1414, Fasano joked, “I wouldn’t want to try and navigate with this map.”

Zvolanek gave information on what exactly GIS is. After giving a complicated definition, she said, “The technical definition is just a long way of saying ‘technology used to make maps’ and it’s all sorts of fun.” Zvolanek has spent the past two years learning how to use GIS software and has spent the majority of her post-baccalaureate program using GIS in a way which will help the city of Monmouth. According to Zvolanek, there is an old railroad track which runs around town, and she and Fasano took measurements of it to see if it would make a good template for something like a bicycle trail. They then took an older map of Monmouth and, using the GIS software, layered a potential trail over the original map. Zvolanek pointed out, “Using this software makes things easier, but learning how to use the software actually takes a really long time.” The positive side to this is the trail already exists and it is flat; however, there would need to be a bridge by the pool and Route 34, and the trail would need to be made handicapped accessible. She is still trying to decide if this would make a good trail or not.

Hritz discussed how GIS technology has helped archaeologists in their quests to uncover ancient civilizations. She stated they “use GIS to manage and plan different types of archaeological events.” Archaeologists are also able to use GIS as a tool for analysis to enhance past archaeological research. Hritz recently worked on a site at Andarin, and by using GIS technology she and her team “were able to precisely develop transacts to walk, get precise coordinations, gather accurate transacts.” Hritz taught herself, mostly, and now she teaches an introduction to GIS course which is geared towards students planning to become archaeologists. She stressed the importance of learning how to use this software, and anyone who knows how to use it will be a valuable tool in almost any field of work; GIS is applicable to marketing, sociology, archaeology and, especially, environmental science.

Fasano ended by saying he welcomes any students who are interested in learning how to use GIS software. “We have a fledgling GIS computer lab,” he said, and “in my dreams I would like to have a GIS lab in the new science building and an expert to teach it.”