Author: U. Lieberwirth
Working in 3D geographical space has always been an attractive outlook for archaeologists. Commercial (geological) software is frequently not an option because of financial and functional limitations.
Recently, the first steps towards fully three-dimensional archaeological GIS have been done using Open Source Software (GRASS GIS, see presentation by U. Lieberwirth in Sektion 1). The door has now been opened for further projects testing the new opportunities and extending the functionality of the current software.
The present software can already answer questions related to the understanding of archaeological stratigraphy, process chain of a site’s development, taphonomy, 3D find distribution etc. The aim is to preserve a the site’s complete 3D information digitally, offering the possibility to retrieve reliable cross-sections at arbitrary locations through the site’s stratigraphy.
Aims for the software’s further development include the implementation of 3D spatial analysis for e.g., analysis of artefact diversity and disposal in a 3D space, 3D cluster analysis etc., advance 3D interpolation, etc..
High advanced, low cost software developed exactly for archaeological needs is a wish which now might become true.