Title
Using 3-D GIS in Archaeology Classrooms: An Example from Hells Canyon, Oregon
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Resource Management (REM)
Publication Date
1-2015
Abstract
Excavation data from an ancestral Nez Perce dwelling in Hells Canyon, Oregon (1600–500 B.P.) are used to integrate 3-D GIS and spatio-temporal problem-solving for university-level archaeology instruction. By working through three sequential projects, students learn visualization skills as well as archaeological methods, spatial thinking, and problem-solving. These projects include digital excavation of a house site with evaluation of the spatio-temporal relationships and patterns of artifacts, group analysis of different occupation layers, and 3-D visualization. Beyond this, students were encouraged to continue to explore areas of interest, develop new research questions, and complete more detailed studies as independent research efforts. Applications like 3-D GIS have the potential to reach many more students and dramatically increase student interest in and understanding of archaeology, using computer methods as a supplement to field work.
Recommended Citation
Fairbanks, M., Hackenberger, S., & Hickey, R. (2015). Using 3-D GIS in Archaeology Classrooms: An Example from Hells Canyon, Oregon. North American Archaeologist, 36(1), 59–88. https://doi.org/10.2190/na.36.1.c
Journal
North American Archaeologist
Rights
© 2015, The Author(s)
Comments
This article was originally published in North American Archaeologist. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.
Due to copyright restrictions, this article is not available for free download from ScholarWorks @ CWU.