Archaeological data management and analysis at Blandwood mansion.

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
William R. Robinson (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Roy Stine

Abstract: This thesis involves the creation, organization, and analysis of digital archaeological data within a site Geographic Information System and Microsoft Access relational database. The data were the result of excavations at the Blandwood Mansion property in downtown Greensboro, NC, during the summer of 2008. The creation and implementation of the site GIS and custom relational database were discussed with a focus placed on increasing the efficiency of data storage and the speed at which data can be analyzed. The archaeological database was developed for the project and its creation and purpose were discussed with reference to the user experience.

The specific methods of data analysis performed within the study include artifact dating via mean ceramic dating, equation based flat window glass dating, artifact distribution analysis using density mapping, and 3D soil layer modeling using statistical kriging. A number of other historical resources including Sanborn Fire Insurance maps and photos were integrated into the GIS to better understand the results obtained by the methods stated above. The final chapter briefly discusses some key insights provided by the study and recommendations of future archaeological exploration within the site.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2010
Keywords
Artifact Density, GIS, Kriging, Relational Database, Urban Farmstead, Window Glass
Subjects
Geographic information systems $x Data processing.
Geographic information systems $z North Carolina $z Greensboro.
Geodatabases $z North Carolina.
Archaeology $x Methodology $x Data processing.
Archaeology $x Statistical methods.

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