Understanding a Roman Insula by the aid of GIS – The Insula 30 in Augusta Raurica (CH) Sven Straumann
Abstract In a PhD-project at the University of Basel (CH) the completely excavated Insula 30 of the roman colonial town Augusta Raurica (CH) is in the focus of an archaeological interpretation. GIS is being employed from the very start of this post-excavation analysis. The introduced project shows the method and procedure how archaeological records can be extrapolated as a source with the aid of GIS. Digitising completely the analogue records (photos, drawings, descriptions etc.) and integrating them into the GIS system allows the potential of old excavation documentation to be much better and more efficiently exploited. This computer application facilitates the handling of “oceans of data”. Because all the data and contents of the excavation documentation are available in digital form via the GIS, work can be done on the evaluation from any location. The data can be used for doing research on different topics in various scales, from the micro-scale of the roman insula (building development, architecture, functionality) to the macro-scale focus of the city (urbanism).This will finally lead to a 3D/4D visualization of the building development. Within the many advantages and possibilities of this innovative method the long-term sustainability has to be emphasized. The digitally extrapolated sources and the Data in the GIS are comprehensively available for anyone in the scientific community to use for his or her own investigations (http://www.augustaraurica.ch/de/stadtplan).
