In Liébana, an area in Northern Spain, one can identify fourteen (14) early medieval fortifications. Each of these fourteen fortifications can be found on high altitude locations. Current research...Show moreIn Liébana, an area in Northern Spain, one can identify fourteen (14) early medieval fortifications. Each of these fourteen fortifications can be found on high altitude locations. Current research emphasises that visibility from and between these fourteen fortifications is an important aspect. However, no methodological study has been done previously to substantiate visibility as a key characteristics of the fortifications. This research therefore aims to establish an overview of the visibility of the fortifications to create more insight in their use and function in the early medieval society of Liébana. The research makes use of GIS to examine the extend and characteristics of visibility methodologically by creating different viewsheds and an intervisibility network. In order to make this work, a DEM file is created to and coordinates of the fortifications are established. The results of this research are presented in maps. The maps indicate that fortifications were visible throughout the landscape whilst the fortifications could at the same time actively control the main access points into Liébana. The results presented in the maps in addition show how the fortifications could visually communicate under varying circumstances throughout Liébana. This research therefore shows that visibility is indeed a key characteristic of the high altitude fortificationsShow less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
In 'Mapping History' archaeological sites within a small region in the northwestern Dominican Republic are mapped, in order to distinguish patterns in site locations and to explore the social...Show moreIn 'Mapping History' archaeological sites within a small region in the northwestern Dominican Republic are mapped, in order to distinguish patterns in site locations and to explore the social landscape in the past. The landscape in the research area consists of beaches, swamps, mangroves, valleys, and hills up to 300 metres in height. It is known from research by Jorge Ulloa Hung, an archaeologist currently writing his dissertation on ceramics in the area, that there were different ceramic styles present contemporaneously in the north of the Dominican Republic. While Ulloa Hung focuses on the ceramics from the sites in the area, in this research the surrounding area (circa 80 km²) is mapped to provide a context for Ulloa Hung’s research. In this thesis the study on the social landscape is the central focus. Observations and results of the fieldwork conducted in the area were used for this study, and recorded into a map-related database or Geographical Information System (GIS). The relation between site locations and surroundings were analysed with the use of the created GIS. The focus of the analyses is mainly on differences between sites with Meillacoid style ceramics and sites with Chicoid style ceramics. The goal was to bring forth different patterns in the site locations of Meillacoid and Chicoid sites. The diverse landscape in the area combined with the diverse cultural landscape makes this area very suitable for such analyses. Although there are similarities between several aspects of the sites, the area also differences. Meillacoid sites tend to be located closer to the coast, while Chicoid sites are located further inland. Furthermore, Meillacoid sites have a better visibility range, and are therefore better visible themselves. There are evidently different patterns of site locations of both kinds of sites in the area, but there is one common denominator: diversity.Show less
