Somogyi Múzeumok Közleményei 18. (Kaposvár, 2008)

FEKETE CSANÁD: Predictive archaeological modelling in Somogy county

Somogyi Múzeumok Közleményei 18: 147-156 Kaposvár, 2008 Predictive archaeological modelling in Somogy county CSANÁD FEKETE National Office of Cultural Herritage H-1014 Budapest, Táncsics M. str. 1., Hungary, e-mail: csanad.fekete@koh.hu FEKETE, CS.: Predictive archaeological modelling in Somogy county. Abstract: In this paper a GIS model, based on the physical parameters of the geographical environnent of Somogy county archaeological sites, is described. Keywords: GIS, terrain, watercourse, relief Introduction One of the main challenges of archaeology is to define the characteristic geographical environnent, where the sites could be predicted. The huge investments (motorways, junctions), being done for more than a decade, have the proceeds of systematic archaeological research of extensive areas. Its very first step is to explore the potential sites. The insurmountable obstacle of fieldwalking is the plenty of time that needed. Based on the topographical features of a well-defined geographical unit, there could be tightened the area, where sites could be located. Hence, these subjective experiences have not been systematize geometricaly. The spatial appearance of the sites has ceratin rules. For example, the fortresses were built on well-defendable location, protected by natural features (steep slope, river, etc.), as well as the middle-age churches were located on the highest spot of the former villages. This fact influences the aspect of the settlements (location of the houses and the cemetary). In this study I try to collect and explain the geometrical principles of the location of the archaeological sites. The goal of the study is to create a predictive archaeological model, that helps to define the areas, where the sites could be presumed. The elements of the model are some measurable physical parameters of a well-defined sample area: 1. the distance from watercourses 2. the aspect of the terrain 3. the slope of the terrain 4. soil types All human settlement depends on water. The existence of civilizations has been based on the posession and efficient utilization of waterflows. It is obvious that the sites have been attached to the streams and rivers. They are especially abundant where the different branches of flows are met. The features of the terrain have the same effect on the development of the sites. The dwelling and economical objects were built on such adventageous surface, that had good microclimatic conditions. The type of the soil is also a good indicator of the location of the sites. Some types offer better conditions of settling and agriculture, while others make it impossible. The universal use of the model is uncertain, because the different geographical environments offer different alternatives to dwell.

1 The sites included into the modelling are restricted to the settlements, because the cemetaries could hardly be identified by the surface finds and their location had different logic. I would like to emphasize that involving GIS into the topographical research does not mean the neglecting of fieldwalking. GIS is an alternative solution to help fieldsurvey. Choosing the sample and control area The studied area must be well-searched, because this fact has an important effect on the accuracy of the model. Another criteria is to choose such an area, whose physical features are heterogeneous, in order to part the cathegories of site and non-site. The ideal area has diverse features of the terrain, varied water output and it is richly spiced with watercourses. The size of the area is also an important factor. It should be small enough in order to be able to make the model and, on the other hand, it should be large enough to make sure the model is reliable. Making the model I chose the villages of Somogyjád, Bodrog, Somogyfajsz, Csombárd, and Pusztakovácsi in Somogy county. The area was topographicly searched by fieldwalking between 1999 and 2004, led by Dénes Jankovich-Bésán. The control area was determined by two guidelines: it must had the same geographical environment as the sample area did and it also must had been searched in order to check the authenticity of the model. This solution is not as smart as if I chose a „virgin" area, but field-survey could not have been done. The control area includes the western part of Bodrog, the northern part of Somogyfajsz and the eastern part of Pusztakovácsi. On the territory of these five settlements, the sandy area of Inner-Somogy and the hills of Outer-Somogy meet along the Pogány-víz and the Hetes watershed. Our territory is bordered from the north by the longest and broadest ridge of the hills of Outer-Somogy (Gamási—

hát). Its southern-eastern part stretches over the There are lowlander, hilly and mountain environment, that need different approach to use the model elements.