Applications of geographic information science in the archaeological research of the Fincastle Kill Site (DlOx 5) Alberta, Canada, and Tel Beth-Shemesh, Israel

Many scientists have used the expediency of geographic information science (GIS) for archaeological analyses, such as predictive site location modeling and producing topographical site surveys. However, the use of GIS to explore the spatial relationships among the architecture, geography and site artifacts has rarely been done. This research focuses on visualizing and analyzing these relationships using GIS. The sites of Tel Beth Shemesh, Israel and the Fincastle Kill Site (DlOx 5), north-east of Taber, Alberta, were used as case studies, as they were very different types of sites. Based on field measurements and by using specific GIS applications and software, components of these sites were reconstructed in virtual space as GIS models. Other recorded field data were used as input parameters into the models in order to attain the most accurate representations and analyses of the sites. The analysis at Fincastle Kill Site used two types of GIS models: (1) a viewshed model to assess possible bison hunting techniques and (2) surface interpolation models that delineated correlations between high density and low density areas of archaeological remains. The investigation at Tel Beth-Shemesh used a GIS model to store, visualize, interpret and assess the quality and accuracy of the field data recorded during 2001--2004 excavations. Predominately, the work in this thesis did not aim at answering any profound questions about the archaeology of either site, although in some cases it did, but rather focused on developing useful GIS tools for the archaeologist. These GIS models show the value of the applications, and their applicability to archaeological sites around the world.