Begović V., Schrunk I., Kereković D. (2011). The project “A new GIS procedure for the reconstruction of the landscape in classical antiquity (territory of today Croatia)”. In: D. Kereković, R. Źróbek (ed.). The Future with GIS. Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia, Zagreb, 82-93. THE PROJECT "A NEW GIS PROCEDURE FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LANDSCAPE IN CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY (territory of today Croatia)" Vlasta Begović Institute of Archaeology Gajeva 32, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia Ivančica Schrunk University of St. Thomas St. Paul, Minnesota 55105, USA Davorin Kereković GIS Forum Ilica 191 e, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia Abstract In the course of the ongoing research project “Archaeological Topography of Croatia in Classical Antiquity” the application of a new GIS procedure made it possible to make reconstructions of some Roman sites and past landscapes (landscape in classical antiquity) on the territory of today Croatia. The GIS approach to the study of changes in historical landscapes indicated that the greatest transformation of the landscape occurred in the Roman period. Territorial creativity was high in the Roman time, when a completely new landscape identity appeared after the 2nd/1st century BC in Dalmatia and Histria, and after the 1st century AD in Pannonia. The new markers in the landscape consisted of: 1) Military camps; 2) Cities – colonies and settlements; 3) Roman villas; 4) A network of roads and aqueducts. Agro-forestry landscapes were unbalanced even in prehistory, with clearing of forests and expansion of agriculture. However, the most noticeable changes came in the Roman period with new exploitation of the land and the intensive planting of new cash crops - grape (vineyards) and olive trees in Dalmatia and Histria, and wheat and other cereals in Pannonia. Roman villas as the centres of the agriculturally productive landscape were settled between the towns and cities. The Roman beginning of settlements had the roots in the commercial and strategic needs of the expanding power in the eastern Adriatic territory and in the Pannonian region and in the exploitation of the local resources. The network of roads had the main aim of connecting the different parts of the Roman Empire along the major rivers of the Danubius (Danube), Dravus (Drava), Savus (Sava), Colapius (Kupa) and Naron (Neretva), and also along the eastern Adriatic coast. The project "A New GIS Procedure for the Reconstruction of the Landscape in Classical Antiquity (territory of today Croatia)" is at the beginning. We started with the study of Roman architectural features as the markers in the landscape. We are presenting here the preliminary results of the first phase of our study. Key words: GIS, archaeological topography, historical landscape in classical antiquity, archaeological landscape, 4th century BC to 6th century AD Introduction The objectives of the GIS project are: 1) Building a geocoded database of the archaeological sites in the Republic of Croatia. The first stage is to build a geocoded database of the sites in classical antiquity (4th century BC-6th century AD), then of the prehistoric and medieval sites. 2) Facilitating the use of the graphics data (of different precise value) for different spatial and expertise analyses. 3) Preparing a database of the archaeological sites for the wider circle of data and analysis users. 4) Designing the database to accept the installation of various new graphical data. The graphical database in the project “Archaeological Topography of Croatia in Classical Antiquity” are digital maps in 1:3000 000, 1:25 000, 1:1 000 (and even more detailed maps), satellite images, electromagnetic surveys, aerial photographs, 3-D models of the terrain, photographs, 82 drawings, and other types of graphical documentation. For each archaeological site a series of 20 data entries are given – number, county, municipality, region, geocode (geographical width from Greenwich, England, geographical length from the equator), site (by spatial data and abc), name, part of the site, neighbouring settlement, archaeological museum with the jurisdiction over the site, toponyme, identification data, historical dating, and conducted archaeological excavations and investigations. The professional classification of the archaeological sites and features are: settlement, road, castrum, bridge, villa, architecture, grave, church, monastery, city, forum, temple, theatre, amphitheatre, aqueduct, individual finding, etc. The study of archaeological topography is the basis for knowing the total number of sites, their type, degree of preservation and value, as well as their spatial setting and precise position. The data refer to the entire Republic of Croatia (land, underground, and underwater), with a special emphasis on the architectural heritage of both urban and rural character, as well as archaeological finds and documented historical road network, up to the Roman border - limes on the Danube River. The data also include historical sources and toponomy. To supplement the data from the existing literature and reports on archaeological excavations, we use data from non-aggressive archaeological methods, such as the interpreting satellite images and aerial photographs, as well as the results of electromagnetic survey - following the recommendations of the European convention on protection of the archaeological heritage. A database is formed and mapping is performed on a topographic map and on a digital map of Croatia. Determination of geographic coordinates (geocode) is done on the basis of topographic maps in the scale of 1:100 000 and town plans (HGU 2002) and by Global Positioning System by reading on the archaeological sites. For the requirement of mapping topographic data a printout was acquired from the graphic base of the registry of spatial units in the digital record in the DWG format. Each attribute card received its datum on the digital map. The Archaeological Sites The Roman provinces of Pannonia, Histria and Dalmatia (Roman administrative division of the imperial territory) are today situated in the 20 administrative counties of the Republic of Croatia. Rivers and mountain ranges were ethnic borders in ancient times. The same geographic features generally serve as the present-day administrative borders of the counties. 83 Fig 1 Map of Histria, Pannonia and Dalmatia on the territory of today Republic of Croatia The location of each archaeological site is related to the closest existing town in order to facilitate geographic references. ROMAN PROVINCE PANNONIA Osijek Baranja County In the angle formed by the confluence of the Drava and Danube Rivers there is an extensive swampy area that stretches further toward the north, which has arisen as a result of the Danube’s course shifting gradually eastward. Today’s Kopački Swamps is what remains of a once much lager wetland. East of Osijek, between Nemetin and Aljmaš, the swamp also takes in the right bank of the lowest course of the Drava River. Aside from the Danube and the Drava, the largest rivers in that area, there are the Vuka River and the Karašica. Such topographic conditions made human habitation of this area possible and led to the rise and development of settlements. From the very beginning of human habitation, the places most favourable for building settlements were the high river terraces and edges of swamps. During the Roman rule, the decisive role in the development was played by the border on the Danube (Danubian limes) and the good possibility of communicating in the region. Roman cities and military border camps were founded here: Colonia Aelia Mursa (today Osijek) on the Drava River and Teutoburgium (today Dalj), Ad Militare (today Batina) on the Danube River. Other Roman settlements were found in Kamenac, Vladislavci, Tenja, Kneževi vinogradi (Mons Aureus), Erdut, Čepin, Đakovo, Našice, Valpovo, Kolođvar and Štrbinci (Roman Certissia). Traces of Roman roads were uncovered at Podravlje near Bilj. (Bulat 1969; Thomas 1964; Rauning 1980). Vukovar Srijem County The county is located between the Danube and the Sava River. The terrain is rather flat with some smaller rivers in the middle, such as Vučica, Vuka, Biđ, Berava, Spačva and Bout. In the time of classical antiquity this was a swampy area, according to a Roman literary source which mentioned the 84 draining of swamps at the time of Emperor Probus in the 3rd century AD. The northern part of the county is on the slopes of Fruška Mountain, which descend to the Vukovar plateau and on the slopes of Dilj, which turn into the Vinkovci-Đakovo plateau, while the lowest parts are along the river Sava. This was the territory of the Roman province of Pannonia Inferior, with the centre at Cibalae (today Vinkovci), which was a commercial and manufacturing settlement. It was located at the intersection of the roads that linked it with the main Roman routes. Fig 2 Map of Vinkovci, Roman Cibalae with archaeological sites Military border camps were at Sotin (Cornacum), further east at Ilok (Cuccium), and near Županja (Vragorilo) the Roman Ad Basantae, at the crossing over the Sava River and connection with the Bosut River. Villae rusticae were at Oriolik-Rajterovo Hill, Privlaka-Zvirinac, Andrijaševci-Fabrički Gaj, Retkovci-Staro Selo, Petrovci. Along the road were way stations - stationes and rest stops for travellers to stay – mansiones – Stari Mikanovci, Cerić-Plandište, Gradište-Kamenište. Trading posts for military needs – canabae - have been found at Nagoslavci. Remains of Roman architecture and the evidence of settlements were found at Cerić (coins from 1st c. BC-4th c. AD), Plandište, Ostrovo, Privlaka, Retkovci, Grabovo, Svinjarevci, Tompojevci, Tovarnik, Orašje, Babina Greda, Gradište, Podgajci Posavski, Bogdanovci, Bapska and Županja. Villae rusticae were located at Petrovci, Sotin and Zlopolje. At Petri skela (Vukovar) remains of an amphora factory (figlina) were uncovered. A Roman road was documented at Štitar. (Dorm 1977; Bulat 1965; Durman, 2008) Brod Posavina County The terrain is flat with gentle slopes of the hills Psunj, Požeška gora and Dilj in the north and the border on the river Sava in the south.