Munigua-GIS 2020

Abstract

The GIS-based mapping of the surrounding area of the Roman city of Munigua (Spain) is now available online. For the first time, the high density of find sites in the surrounding area of the Roman city can be identified. Munigua, the municipium flavium muniguense, has been the subject of intensive research by the Madrid Department of the German Archaeological Institute since 1956. A large amount of data has been collected in the course of annual excavations and prospections. With the help of a geographic information system (GIS), the collected data can now be presented cartographically, managed and statistically evaluated. The combination of epigraphic and archaeological information provides a picture of a diverse and ramified network in which the city and its inhabitants were integrated. The catalogue contains all sites and all specifically located finds, with special attention to Roman and Late Antique chronology, that have become known in Munigua's sphere of influence. The extraordinary density and considerable amount of data – over 1965 individual sites were mapped – not only stands out among the cities of the province of Baetica, but also serves as a model. The subject of the GIS project is the surroundings of the town of Munigua in Roman times, with the family relationships of the town's inhabitants – the Muniguensians – setting the geographical framework. Inscriptions attest to the families of the town as far east as Axati/Lora del Río, as far south as Carmo/Carmona and as far west as Italica/Santiponce. To the north, on the other hand, where the Sierra Morena forms a natural barrier, there seem to have been few relations. The mapping is based on a set of 30 historical, georeferenced maps, the oldest dating back to 1739. The GIS, which is now publicly accessible, provides both interested parties and researchers with a set of tools that invites further questions and integrations. The GIS database could be realized thanks to special funds. The data is generally accessible via the link https://geoserver.dainst.org/. Only to download the information for further processing a registration on the iDAI.geoservers is necessary (https://geoserver.dainst.org/account/signup/).