Date of Graduation

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

Committee Chair

Trevor M. Harris

Abstract

The main goal of this thesis research was to develop an Internet-based contextual GIS and demonstrate its use as a tool for prehistoric cultural landscape study. GIS provides the ability to synthesize and display both quantitative and qualitative data that provide important information about the characteristics of a cultural landscape in a digital context. In addition, the ability to embed spatial multimedia including photographs, video, and text allows the contextual GIS to provide essential qualitative data. The Marietta Mounds Internet GIS developed for this thesis research presents spatial information about the prehistoric mound and earthwork sites in Marietta, Ohio. Users of the system will explore the contextual elements of the landscape, including physical characteristics and cultural information such as historical photographs and descriptions. In this way, users will be able to build an understanding of the prehistoric Marietta landscape as they investigate the system and the embedded spatial multimedia.

Share

COinS