Erotetics, GIS, and Data Resolution: Spatial Analysis in Archaeological Practice

Over the past two decades the use of geospatial analyses and GIS within archaeology has grown in popularity and analytical power. Crucial to this success have been advances in personal computing and the increased availability of geospatial data at varying resolutions.

However, finer resolution data does not guarantee a superior result. The questions we ask often dictate our data needs and it is the responsibility of the researcher to carefully define the scale of analysis and units used. This symposium focuses on erotetics (the logic and theory of questions) and the role of data resolution, scale and evidence in modern GIS-driven archaeological research. Drawing on case studies from Europe, Oceania, the Americas, and Africa, this symposium provides an opportunity for scholars to explore the pragmatic nature of geospatial research, and the diversity of methodological approaches currently available for answering geospatial questions of interest to archaeologists.