The GIS-software has been used as a main tool in reconstructing the early medieval landscape in the Upper Lausitz (Saxony, Germany) territory. Quality cartographic data (Landesvermessungsamt Sachsen) was used to produce GIS-based (ArcView) 2D maps of natural and man-made features tied afterwards to a relational database of non-spatial attributes containing archaeological, historical, and linguistic data. The preliminary work included also the elaboration of a DEM (ArcView, ArcInfo, ArcGIS) used to further the reconstruction and the analysis of landscape themes. GIS was used as a working platform onto which spatial statistical analysis and more common GIS-based spatial analysis (viewshed, line-of-sight, distance, proximity, etc.) were integrated with satellite imagery and other photo documentation. The results, so far are encouraging us to plead for the scientific benefits and potentials of GIS-based analysis and reconstruction of early medieval landscapes.
Key words: GIS, Spatial statistical analysis, DEM, Landscape, Spatial analysis