Chris Gaffney

Still searching for graves: an analytical strategy for interpreting geophysical data used in the search for “unmarked” graves

Searching for and mapping the physical extent of unmarked graves using geophysical techniques has proven difficult in many cases. The success of individual geophysical techniques for detecting graves depends on a site-by-site basis. Significantly, detection of graves often results from measured contrasts that are linked to the background soils rather than the type of archaeological feature associated with the grave. It is evident that investigation of buried remains should be considered within a 3D space as the variation in burial environment can be extremely varied through the grave. Within this paper, we demonstrate the need for a multi-method survey strategy to investigate unmarked graves, as applied at a “planned” but unmarked pauper’s cemetery. The outcome from this case study provides new insights into the strategy that is required at such sites. Perhaps the most significant conclusion is that unmarked graves are best understood in terms of characterization rather than identification. In this paper, we argue for a methodological approach that, while following the current trends to use multiple techniques, is fundamentally dependent on a structured approach to the analysis of the data. The ramifications of this case study illustrate the necessity of an integrated strategy to provide a more holistic understanding of unmarked graves that may help aid in management of these unseen but important aspects of our heritage. It is concluded that the search for graves is still a current debate and one that will be solved by methodological rather than technique-based arguments.

Space and movement in an Iron Age oppidum: integrating geophysical and topographic survey at Entremont, Provence

The famous Celtic site of Entremont, well known for its head cult and warrior statues, is a heritage gem of southern France. This naturally inhibits further excavation there, but the authors show just how much can be achieved through an integrated package of remote mapping techniques. Their exemplary methodology produced more than a high resolution plan of the unexcavated part of the site; this type of integrated procedure generates ground-breaking research, without breaking any ground. Here the investigation mobilised arguments for pre-urban monuments, and the activities, enclosures, entrances and circulation of the oppidum.

TOWARDS A MULTI-SCALAR, MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE CLASSICAL Greek CITY: THE OLYNTHOS PROJECT

Research on the cities of the Classical Greek world has traditionally focused on mapping the organisation of urban space and studying major civic or religious buildings. More recently, newer techniques such as field survey and geophysical survey have facilitated exploration of the extent and character of larger areas within urban settlements, raising questions about economic processes. At the same time, detailed analysis of residential buildings has also supported a change of emphasis towards understanding some of the functional and social aspects of the built environment as well as purely formal ones. This article argues for the advantages of analysing Greek cities using a multidisciplinary, multi-scalar framework which encompasses all of these various approaches and adds to them other analytical techniques (particularly micro-archaeology). We suggest that this strategy can lead towards a more holistic view of a city, not only as a physical place, but also as a dynamic community, revealing its origins, development and patterns of social and economic activity. Our argument is made with reference to the research design, methodology and results of the first three seasons of fieldwork at the city of Olynthos, carried out by the Olynthos Project. Προς μια πολυεπίπεδη και πολυεπιστημονική προσέγγιση της ελληνικής πόλης των κλασικών χρόνων: “το Πρόγραμμα της Ολύνθου” Η έρευνα των πόλεων της κλασικής Ελλάδας για μεγάλο διάστημα επικεντρωνόταν στη χαρτογράφηση της οργάνωσης του αστικού χώρου και στη μελέτη των σπουδαιότερων δημόσιων και λατρευτικών κτιρίων. Τα τελευταία χρόνια, σύγχρονες τεχνικές, όπως η επιφανειακή έρευνα και η γεωφυσική διασκόπηση, διευκολύνουν την εξερεύνηση των ορίων και του χαρακτήρα ευρύτερων περιοχών μέσα σε οικισμούς με αστικό χαρακτήρα, εγείροντας ερωτήματα σχετικά με τις κοινωνικές και οικονομικές διαδικασίες. Συγχρόνως, η λεπτομερής ανάλυση των κατοικιών μετέφερε την έμφαση στην κατανόηση κάποιων λειτουργικών, κοινωνικών και μορφολογικών πτυχών του δομημένου περιβάλλοντος. Αυτή η εργασία προβάλλει τα πλεονεκτήματα της ανάλυσης των ελληνικών πόλεων μέσα σε ένα πολυεπιστημονικό και πολυεπίπεδο πλαίσιο, που αγκαλιάζει όλες αυτές τις προσεγγίσεις και προσθέτει περισσότερες αναλυτικές μεθόδους (ιδιαίτερα μικρο-αρχαιολογία). Πιστεύουμε ότι αυτή η στρατηγική οδηγεί σε μια πιο ολιστική άποψη της πόλης, όχι μόνο ως φυσικό τόπο, αλλά και ως δυναμική κοινότητα που αποκαλύπτει τις ρίζες της, την ανάπτυξή της και τα πρότυπα κοινωνικής και οικονομικής δραστηριότητας. Το επιχείρημά μας στηρίζεται στον σχεδιασμό της έρευνας, τη μεθοδολογία και τα αποτελέσματα των τριών πρώτων περιόδων των εργασιών πεδίου στην αρχαία Όλυνθο, που διενεργείται από το Πρόγραμμα της Ολύνθου (Olynthos Project).

BradPhys to BradViz or from archaeological science to heritage science

Archaeology is a broad church and its role as a “two culture” discipline is frequently cited. This position at the interface of the arts and sciences remains central to archaeological activity but there have been significant changes in the structure of archaeology and its relationship to society overall. The growth of heritage science, in particular, is driving change and development within archaeology at a national and international level. This paper discusses these developments in relation to the authors own research trajectory and discusses the significance of such change.

Visualising Space and Movement: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Palace of Diocletian, Split

The Palace of Diocletian, now the old town of Split, is one of the most important structures for the study of late Roman palaces, imperial ceremonial and urban change in late antiquity. At the heart of this palatial complex is the Mausoleum of Diocletian/Split Cathedral; a transformation which neatly encapsulates the transition from imperial residence to late antique and medieval town. Emerging from work undertaken by the Central Dalmatian Archaeological Project in 2009, this chapter will demonstrate how 3D spatial models can be integrated with subsurface exploration technologies in order to better understand the relationships between standing and subsurface remains at Split through the production of a 3D model. It will then use the integrated results from the 3D laser scanning of the Mausoleum and its surroundings and GPR in the Peristyle of the Palace to make suggestions about the nature of that space and how it might have changed over time.