Geographic information systems, landscape archaeology and onthological geography: possibilities and challenges in the studies of the Greek cities of Sicily

Abstract

Landscape archaeology is one of the privileged fields of archaeology with regard to the multiplication of works that have contributed to refinement of concepts, research methodologies and important results in the field of social sciences. Nevertheless, the terrain – the basis for social life, buildings, roads and shelters – is not yet a prominent topic of debate among archaeologists, let alone its fundamental role in defining men geographically and the meanings resulting from this. The nature of ancient cities also results from choices which were conscious and unconscious, rational or irrational, in such a way that any schematic and universally valid approach would be innocuous. Yet, some essential criteria determine how decisions are materialized in the occupation of the space, as well as the shapes of the city throughout its existence. The technology of Geographic Information System has occupied a prominent place in archaeological research by providing more efficient methods for organizing and comparing data. To analyse scales at intra-local and regional levels individually and to establish a well-defined chronology is certainly an appropriate research approach. We propose to discuss the potential of GIS tools and methods for the study of settlement strategies of the Greek colonies in Sicily during the archaic period, and their sociopolitical dynamics