6533b836fe1ef96bd12a105b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

A method of data structuring for the study of diffusion processes of raw materials and manufactured objects

subject

description

International audience; Workgroup 3 of the ArchaeDyn II programme aims at studying the diffusion systems of products in ancient times. In order to be able to structure data in GIS in an appropriate way, we propose to go through three levels of modelling: the first one aims at gathering together the different components of the diffusion systems taking into account their interactions; the second corresponds to a conceptual data model created with the help of the HBDS method, that will, as we get to the third stage, lead to the creation of a "three-dimensional" geodatabase. Here we point out the fact that the approach through the simple notion of “site” is not sufficient to study the products’ diffusion without taking into account the nature and the role of the places. Three dimensions have to be considered: time, space and function of places. Indeed, a product’s route can be apprehended efficiently by distinguishing spatial entities as well as functional entities. This article proposes a way of data structuring that would allow to integrate them into a GIS, taking into account the different stages the artefact has known (insofar as it is possible to know it) and the different places through which it has passed.