The paper illustrates the research work on the Protopalatial site of Monastiraki in Crete undertaken by the Suor Orsola Benincasa University (Naples), in collaboration with the Archaeological Institute of Cretological Studies (Heraklion). The Minoan centre of Monastiraki (1900-1700 BC) is situated on a low hill controlling the natural access road to the south through the Amari Valley which joins northern Crete to the south coast of the island. One of the aims of the project was to create an integrated territorial system structured on two levels: a regional level, which includes the archaeological and landscape surveys in the Amari valley, and another site-specific level applied to the extensive Protopalatial complex of Monastiraki. The GIS model was developed to handle all the various types of data such as the cartographic material, the topographical and architectural surveys, the excavation notebooks and the photographic archives from over 30 years of excavations at the site. The GIS system constitutes the starting point for further research on Monastiraki, currently focused on the eastern part of the site, based both on an extensive investigation of the wall structures and on the new archaeological soundings carried out in the last few years. This has led to clarification of the architectural changes in this part of the complex and the various phases of occupation.
The Contribution of GIS Technology to Archaeological Research: the Case of the Protopalatial Site of Monastiraki (Crete)
COMO, Maria Teresa;
2013-01-01
Abstract
The paper illustrates the research work on the Protopalatial site of Monastiraki in Crete undertaken by the Suor Orsola Benincasa University (Naples), in collaboration with the Archaeological Institute of Cretological Studies (Heraklion). The Minoan centre of Monastiraki (1900-1700 BC) is situated on a low hill controlling the natural access road to the south through the Amari Valley which joins northern Crete to the south coast of the island. One of the aims of the project was to create an integrated territorial system structured on two levels: a regional level, which includes the archaeological and landscape surveys in the Amari valley, and another site-specific level applied to the extensive Protopalatial complex of Monastiraki. The GIS model was developed to handle all the various types of data such as the cartographic material, the topographical and architectural surveys, the excavation notebooks and the photographic archives from over 30 years of excavations at the site. The GIS system constitutes the starting point for further research on Monastiraki, currently focused on the eastern part of the site, based both on an extensive investigation of the wall structures and on the new archaeological soundings carried out in the last few years. This has led to clarification of the architectural changes in this part of the complex and the various phases of occupation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
