Tsoni TSONEV / Georgi NEKHRIZOV
(National Institute of Archaeology and Museum, Sofia, Bulgaria)

Outline: The system is realized on ArcGIS Server 92. Three basic maps are used: topographic map, scale 1:25 000, geological map, 1: 100 000, and the national archive of orthophoto imagery. Its creation aims to answer the question: what is the possibility of occurrence of an archaeological site within a given region? A Bayesian approach to calculation of probability intervals for occurrence of archaeological sites in a specified region has been adopted. Additional advantage of this modification of GIS for analyses is the possibility to execute queries by location with a future option of a ‘timemap’ that reveals the landscape evolution and contributes to precision in the assessment process.

Abstract: The paper describes an innovative approach to the process of creating a novel GIS for analyses and protection of archaeological heritage of Bulgaria. Firstly, it describes in brief the appearance and evolution of the electronic database for registration and documentation of archaeological sites and monuments known as ‘Archaeological Map of Bulgaria’ (AMB). Secondly, it gives details about the existing legal framework under which the novel information system and the methods for fieldwork will be conducted. The imposed by it technical requirements and public obligations entail development of an innovative analytical technique for assessment of the threats of destruction of archaeological heritage. In order to meet these high expectations we suggest a Bayesian  statistical approach that incorporates the spatial results obtained from terrain surveys and high-precision registration and documentation techniques into one process of generating key information about the existing threats of destruction of archaeological sites in a given region. This procedure is synchronized with the novel methods for fieldwork which are also described briefly. Last but not least the basic functionality and characteristics of the GIS are described, including a graphic representation of its logic and mode of operation.

Keywords: GIS, Bayesian approach, Archaeological Map of Bulgaria