G. Verhoeven, F. Vermeulen, M. De Dapper, B. De Vliegher
Dep. of Archaeology, Ghent University, Belgium

In 2000, Ghent University started an international geo-archaeological survey project in the valley of the Potenza River, which links the Apennine hills to the Adriatic coastline of Central Italy (Marche region). Under the direction of Prof. Frank Vermeulen, the Departments of Archaeology and Geography aim to measure the evolution of social complexity within this valley and evaluate the phenomena of acculturation, in time as well as in space.
In addition to systematic fieldwalking and geomorphological research, aerial photography is also undertaken in an exhaustive way. The implementation of the data achieved by these survey techniques into a GIS will be outlined, as well as the difficulties of attaining this in an accurate way.
Besides this function of GIS as a spatial data management and visualising tool, it also offers possibilities in analysing settlement patterns, as some results of locational analysis will make clear. Furthermore, the results of spatial analysis will permit incorporation into the archaeological heritage management of the region in the near future.
Key words: GIS, Survey, Remote sensing, Spatial analysis