The Potential for Georeferenced Spatial Data on Coastal Erosion Sites

Summary

Coastal erosion sites contain the same complexity as any other site; however, the sequences are often truncated and the recovery conditions require adaptive approaches. Although these sites are eroding, there is a need for equal rigor in their recording. The coastal erosion site at Swandro, Rousay, Orkney, has been recorded using a variety of georeferenced data sets. This paper examines the potential of micro-analysis of the 3-dimensional coordinate records of artifacts and geo-referenced photogrammetry from a single building. The complex deposition sequence, together with the spatial distribution of artifacts within a Late Iron Age Structure, are explored using GIS. The deposits within the building indicate slag and other artifacts associated with metallurgy. The analytical potential for an integrated management using GIS is explored here. The potential that coastal erosion sites have for the understanding of formation and cultural interpretation at a micro-level is highlighted in this paper.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Burning Libraries: Environmental Impacts on Heritage and Science   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15107