Identification

Title

Contour Dataset for the Jazira Region of Syria

Alternative title(s)

unknown

Abstract

This contour dataset complements 13 other datasets as part of a study that compared ancient settlement patterns with modern environmental conditions in the Jazira region of Syria. This study examined settlement distribution and density patterns over the past five millennia using archaeological survey reports and French 1930s 1:200,000 scale maps to locate and map archaeological sites. An archaeological site dataset was created and compared to and modelled with soil, geology, terrain (contour), surface and subsurface hydrology and normal and dry year precipitation pattern datasets; there are also three spreadsheet datasets providing 1963 precipitation and temperature readings collected at three locations in the region. The environmental datasets were created to account for ancient and modern population subsistence activities, which comprise barley and wheat farming and livestock grazing. These environmental datasets were subsequently modelled with the archaeological site dataset, as well as, land use and population density datasets for the Jazira region. Ancient trade routes were also mapped and factored into the model, and a comparison was made to ascertain if there was a correlation between ancient and modern settlement patterns and environmental conditions; the latter influencing subsistence activities. This contour dataset was generated to determine if higher elevations affected rainfall patterns, which in turn, influenced water runoff. Higher precipitation and runoff could influence settlement patterns as water could be collected at lower elevations for the irrigation of short season cultigens. The contour dataset was also used to generate digital elevation models (DEM) to demonstrate the effects of elevations and trade route patterns in the Jazira region. The contour intervals are 50 metres with the exception of those at the highest elevations where they are 25 metres.

Resource type

dataset

Resource locator

http://www.sharegeo.ac.uk/handle/10672/33

Unique resource identifier

code

None

codeSpace

unknown

Dataset language

eng

Spatial reference system

authority code

WGS84 Latitude Longitude

code identifying the spatial reference system

WGS84 Latitude Longitude

Additional information source

Thesis M 2001 MATH, Ohio University Mathys, Antone J 'A GIS comparative analysis of bronze age settlement patterns and the contemporary physical landscape in the Jazira Region of Syria'., French Levant Map Series (1:200,000) for Syrie (Syria). Projected to Lambert grid. These are colour maps measuring to 69 x 59 cm in size. The dataset was created from the following sheet numbers and titles: 1) NI-37 XVII, Abou Kemal 2) NI-37 XVIII, Ana 3) NI-37 XXI, Ressafe 4) NI-37 XXII, Raqqa 5) NI-37 XXIII, Deir ez Zoir 6) NI-37 XXIV, Bouara 7) NI-37-III, Djerablous 8) NJ-37 IV, Toual Aaba 9) NJ-37 V, Hassetche 10) NJ-37 VI, Qamishliye-Sinjar 11) (No sheet number), Qaratchok-Darh Dressépar la Service Géographique des F.F.L. en 1945 Réimprimé par l'Institut Géographique National en 1950 (Originally produced by this Geographic Service of the F.F.L. (Forces Francaises Libres) in 1945 and reprinted by the National Geographic Institute in 1950). Paris: France. Institut Geographique National, 1945-1950. Original map series might be traced to Beirut: Bureau Topographique des Troupe françaises du Levant, 1933-1938.

Classification of spatial data and services

Topic category

elevation

Keywords

Keyword set

keyword value

digital land model

geographic information system

GIS digital format

originating controlled vocabulary

title

GEMET - Concepts, version 2.4

reference date

date type

revision

effective date

2010-01-13

Geographic location

West bounding longitude

37.1997070314

East bounding longitude

42.5830078124

North bounding latitude

38.2813130791

South bounding latitude

33.6603531220

Extent

Extent group

authority code

code identifying the extent

Extent group

authority code

code identifying the extent

Extent group

authority code

code identifying the extent

Extent group

authority code

code identifying the extent

Vertical extent information

Minimum value

150

Maximum value

900

Coordinate reference system

authority code

code identifying the coordinate reference system

None

Temporal reference

Temporal extent

Begin position

1933

End position

1938

Dataset reference date

date type

publication

effective date

2001-06-02

Frequency of update

notPlanned

Quality and validity

Lineage

Derived from 1:200,000 French maps comprising the 1:200,000 French Levant Map Series sheets (Further Information element in this metadata record provides list of sheets).

Conformity

Data format

name of format

ArcGIS (*.shp)

version of format

8.3

Constraints related to access and use

Constraint set

Limitations on public access

None

Constraint set

Use constraints

None

Responsible organisations

Responsible party

organisation name

Tony Mathys

email address

tony.mathys@ed.ac.uk

responsible party role

distributor

Metadata on metadata

Metadata point of contact

organisation name

Tony Mathys

full postal address

EDINA, The University of Edinburgh, Causewayside House, 160 Causewayside

Edinburgh

EH9 1PR

Scotland

telephone number

+44 (0)131 651 1443

facsimile number

+44 (0)131 650 3308

email address

tony.mathys@ed.ac.uk

web address

responsible party role

pointOfContact

Metadata date

2013-04-24

Metadata language

eng