Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

MtoM - MEROWE SHERIQ, TANQASI, ZUMA

SUDAN

or separation of appropriate amounts of data
and formulating questions, the outcome
being quick and clear answers to specific
issues. One of the benefits of an archae-
ological measurement record in the form of
a digital map is the opportunity for
continuous error assessment. Digital site
mapping provides an image of measured
features virtually at once, eliminating the

risks inherent to the traditional method
where protracted elaboration of results often
makes it impossible to check for measuring
errors. Properly prepared digital maps are
often much clearer than the traditional
paper version, while multiscale outprinting
permits zooming in on selected parts of an
archaeological site and presenting them in
maximum resolution.

ARCHIVAL DATA SEARCH AND PROCESSING

Whenever a traditional plan on paper is
available for an archaeological site, the data
can be processed and incorporated in the
new digital documentation. The source for
digital maps in such cases is a raster image.
This is a bitmap, that is, scanned or pho-
tographed traditional drawing, map or
other archival source, which needs to be
processed before it can be used [Fig- 3A],
This process of adaptation is called
calibration and vectorization of the raster
image.
Calibration adjusts image scale,
eliminates distortions from scanning or
photographing, and vectorizes the image.
Once the map has been calibrated, it is then

vectorized, bringing out geometric ele-
ments by contouring them on screen with
broken, straight or curved lines. Some com-
puter software will do this automatically or
semi-automatically, but it is much better to
interpret the image manually, based on
observation of features in the field. This
permits a proper layering of the map, that
is, attributing recognized features to parti-
cular layers for the purposes of a clear
presentation. Critical selection of map
details at this stage facilitates work with the
map, making it convenient with proper
layer order management to work on
whichever elements of the vectorized image
are currently required.

FIELD MEASUREMENT WITH TOTAL STATION
TACHIMETER

Increasingly often geodetic instruments are
used for listing and mapping archaeological
features in the field, during excavations, as
well as fieldwalking. These instruments
record data necessary for mapping
structures in an inbuilt or external memory
storage unit. The planimetric surveying
method used in archaeology has undergone
transformation in effect of the introduction
of new technologies. Electronic total station
tachometers are being used with growing
frequency on archaeological sites. Modern

electronic sub-assemblies and software favor
broad application during fieldwork for the
purposes of tachometric measurements,
tracing stakeout points in three dimensions
x, y, h; measuring surface area, etc.
The below listing presents stages of the
work involved in preparing planimetric
documentation during archaeological field-
work.
I. Fieldwork
a. Current topograhical plan for planned
archaeological works

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