Nadezhda Kecheva, Bulgaria
Ms. Nadezhda Kecheva National Institute of Archaeology
x2013Talk x2013Scholar xBulgaria xTalk2013 xScholar2013 xCultural xHistory xArchaeology xRemote xeurope
2013 Conference Paper:
"Nondestructive Methods for Conducting Archaeological Surface Surveys Using the Application of GIS Technologies in Bulgaria"
Presenter(s): *Nadezhda Kecheva, National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NIAM-BAS), Bulgaria
Archaeological surface surveys in Bulgaria have more than a 100-year history. An attempt of their systematization is the creation in 1990 of the Automated Information System “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria” (in Bulgarian:
“Arheologicheska Karta na Bulgaria/AIS AKB/). It has a main purpose to collect data with research and conservation goals about all archaeological sites in Bulgaria by providing a methodological framework for the surface investigations. Since the GIS technology is constantly developing, so it is much easier nowadays to carry out certain fieldwork using software with qualities allowing the researcher to derive and systematize as much and as accurate data as possible from the survey. The research paper is based on the applicable nondestructive methods for the conduction of archaeological surface surveys closely connected with the application of GIS technologies. These include the necessity of preliminary analyses of satellite imagery and orthophotographs for abnormalities on the field seen from above followed by ground control on the surface to check their origin, the application of mobile GIS devices for conducting an ordinary archaeological surface survey and the application of desktop GIS software for analyses of all accumulated results. During the last four years, more systematic surveys took place in Bulgaria. As a member of most of these teams and a leader of some, I would like to share my experience and to add my own observations on the methods and the implementation of GIS technologies in the field of archaeology in Bulgaria.
2013 Scholar Profile:
email address(es): n.kecheva at gmail.com
title or role in the organization: PhD student in the Department of Classic Archaeology, Archaeologist-surveyor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Research
interest keywords (please see instructions): Archaeology, surface surveys, airborne remote sensing, analyses of satellite imagery and orthophotographs, GIS applications, Archaeological Map of Bulgaria
Organization name: National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NIAM-BAS)
Organization full street address (in your local format):
2 Saborna Str.
1000 Sofia
Bulgaria
Work phone with country and area code: +359 2 988 24 06
Work fax with country and area code: +359 2 988 24 05
Main email: naim@naim.bg
Organization Web site URL if any: http://naim.bg/en/home/
Organization subject keywords (please see instructions): Archaeology: excavations, surface surveys, epigraphy, numismatics, interdisciplinary research, museum
describe the work that your current organization does: The NIAM-BAS (National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) is a non-profit research institute financed by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences that covers the complete study of the culture of tribes and peoples who have occupied present-day Bulgaria from the remote past until the 18th century. NIAM-BAS is a national centre and coordinator of all field research in Bulgaria and exercises scholarly and methodological control on it. The Museum of Archaeology hosts the most numerous collections in Bulgaria and its exhibitions reveal it as one of the most important centres in the country for promotion of the cultural heritage of present-day Bulgaria. Its academic and museum potential turns NIAM-BAS into the biggest research archaeological unit in Southeastern Europe. NIAM-BAS was established in 1949 as a follower and successor of the Department of Valuables – part of the Library established in Sofia in 1878-1879 and reformed into a National Museum in 1892 – and the Bulgarian Institute of Archaeology (1921), which was the first academic institute in Bulgaria.
With view to the specific features of its subject matters, NIAM-BAS consists of five main departments covering the chronological span between Prehistoric Archaeology to Medieval Archaeology, Numismatics and Epigraphy, and other connected research branches. NIAM-BAS has other activities as well related to the functions of the Museum of Archaeology: taking an inventory of the finds kept in the Museum’s depositories as well as the new finds from recent excavations, preparation and opening of permanent or temporary exhibitions, restoration, conservation and photo documentation, updating the find lists and descriptions .
describe your personal role in the organization: In the period 2006-2011 I have been working on different projects, archaeological excavations and surface surveys, with archaeologists that are part of the NIAM-BAS. I was a team member and deputy leader. Since January 1, 2012 I have been a PhD student in the Department of Classic Archaeology in NIAM-BAS with a signed contract and I continued my work as a deputy leader and a leader of archaeological surface surveys.
On December 11, 2012 I signed a contract for my appointment as an employee as an archaeologist-surveyor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Research in NIAM-BAS at half day working hours. My principal work is focused on experimental, research and other creative work in the archaeological surface surveys using GIS technologies and methods. I also work for development and enlarging of the national archaeological site-level based database accumulating information for all archaeological structures in Bulgaria called Automated Information System “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria” (in Bulgarian language it is called Arheologicheska Karta na Bulgaria and it is famous with the following abbreviation: AIS AKB. I prefer to use it from now on).
Since the beginning of 2013 I have been involved in two international projects that NIAM-BAS participates in.
My duty for the first one is to be responsible for the creation of GIS database for all Roman towns in Bulgaria that are situated on the Danube River which is present-day Bulgaria’s Northern country border and also marked the defensive boundary of the Roman Empire in 1-5th century AD.
In the other project I am part of the coordination team, leaded by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Nekhrizov, NIAM-BAS, who is the person responsible for the existence and development of the AIS AKB. The project is about archaeological data sharing between 24 different databases situated in 16 different European countries.
describe the history of your personal work in conservation and GIS: I started my archaeological GIS practice and education in 2009. I have been part of many projects including different types of archaeological investigations. Conducting of surface surveys have been the most important part I have been focused on. In most of the teams I participated in, I was responsible for the GIS work including the preliminary preparations, the actual fieldwork as well as the work off-field. This includes the creation of a database with all available information collected for the corresponding region, creation of .shp files used on the mobile GIS devices on the field and filling in the gathered information on the field in the end of the workday. Being a part of such organized teams focused on a specific region where each team member had clear and precise responsibilities was of a great benefit for the improvement of my personal GIS work. The gained experience was the reason why NIAM-BAS invited me to participate in 2011 in one of the teams conducting rescue archaeological surface surveys as a GIS specialist. In 2012 I was the leader of another team which had similar goals. The implementation of these two projects was based on the usage of mobile GIS that I had been familiar with since 2009. Working for them gave me the chance not only to collect more data for the AIS AKB that could be used for future preservation and conservation of the archaeological sites, but also to actualize some of the existing information in the database with more detailed data. The work for the improvement of AIS AKB database by providing more detailed data is the way to protect in a later stage the archaeological sites included in the system.
describe your connection to the local SCGIS chapter:
I participated in the European SCGIS Conference with International Participation “Best Practices: Application of GIS technologies for conservation of natural and cultural heritage sites” held on May 21-23, 2012 in Sofia, Bulgaria. NIAM-BAS took part in the organization of the European SCGIS conference by providing the venue. As an important team member dealing with part of the GIS work, done in an archaeological surface survey project in the Kazanlak Valley in the Middle of Bulgaria, I had the opportunity to give an oral presentation and a co-authors paper for the Proceedings of the conference. I am also very thankful to the representatives of the SCGIS Chapter Bulgaria Chief Assist. Dr. Vanya Naydenova and Assist. Stefan Stamenov for their help through giving me the chance to work on a licensed ArcInfo software, version 9.2, and giving me valuable advices referring conservation issues.
describe what is the most unique and the most challenging about the conservation/GIS work that you do: As a part of an archaeological team working on the accumulation, support and development of the national archaeological site-level based database accumulating information for all archaeological structures in Bulgaria AIS AKB, I am responsible for doing a methodological work and GIS applications. This unique national-leveled database was created in 1990 and is administered by the NIAM-BAS. Its duty is to fulfil a social function for management of the archaeological recourses and their future need of conservation and preservation. It also serves for scientific investigations with the created database through collecting information for Bulgaria that concerns the localization and description of newly discovered archaeological sites. Its creation, usage and support are protected by a regulation of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. It is very helpful in conservation and protection of archaeological heritage.
Archaeological surface surveys are essential for the accumulation of more data in AIS AKB. They have been conducting for hundred years on Bulgarian territory using different approaches. There has not been established any unified methodology yet. Limited and in time gradually increasing archaeological site-based usage of GIS applications started 4 years ago. My work as a PhD student is to provide contemporary methods for conducting archaeological surface surveys in order to collect as detailed data as possible using mobile and desktop GIS hardware and software. In this way the future investigation and conservation of the archaeological resources would be aided. As an archaeologist-surveyor my responsibility and at the same time a challenge is also focused on my introduction to the development of new GIS technologies that could be applicable to the localization, data gathering, investigation and conservation of archaeological sites.
