Geography and Anthropology Department
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This web page is intended to discuss the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in historical research. I have a personal interest in history and also am interested in the application of GIS in historical research to determine and analyze spatial change over millennia, or even decades. Even comparing U.S. Census data from 1990 to 2000 is using GIS for historical research, so the potential applications of GIS for history are substantial. By being able to map and analyze changes over time, a better picture of the present can be created.
Historians and archaeologists are just now beginning to discover GIS and use them extensively in their research. Archaeologists can use GIS to piece together ancient city plans from ruins, or to get a better idea of where ancient peoples lived, hunted and farmed. Historians can use GIS to analyze the extent of ancient empires or the change in districts over time. Using historical documents and maps, the change over time of very specific areas can be mapped and analyzed. Historians can also use GIS in battlefield analysis - determining troop placement and tactics used by the respective commanders. Further variables can be inputted into the GIS to see what effect they could have had on the outcome of the battle.
As illustrated in the graphic below, data from centuries ago can be taken and mapped. Certain considerations must be taken into account due to changes in provincial or national boundaries, but the availability of the data and the ability to map it and analyze it with GIS is truly a blessing. Even with spatial variations due to time or inaccurate surveying/record keeping, the picture painted by merging historical research and GIS is an invaluable one to all.
The article deals with theoretical and methodological issues in using GIS for historical regional analysis. The implications of this are studied in two case studies of the northeastern United States. The first case is about the growth of the railroad networks of the middle Atlantic states until 1900. The second case deals with mining investment in the coalfields of Pennsylvania prior to 1900.
The author discusses mapping and analyzing Tokyo's spatial history. The author uses four components in her GIS analysis of Tokyo: shorelines and rivers, administrative units, population, and the rail network.
The National Historical Geographic Information System is a project to make aggregate Census data from 1790 - 2000 available to the public. They will also create Census Tract maps back to 1910 and county maps back to 1790. All of the data will be freely distributed online.
Here is an example of an annotated web link. Note that I have only included one link, you need 2 - 4, also be sure to describe the web page in your own words.
Great Britain Historical GIS Project
The Great Britain Historical GIS Project (GBHGIS) was founded in 1994 and is intended to capture all the changing boundaries in major administrative areas in Great Britain and Ireland. The data is from the mid nineteenth century to the present and will also use a socio-economic database to allow mapping and analysis of the data for the past 150 years. Some work is also being done towards mapping data from the 17th century and from Britain's first census in 1801. The ultimate aim of the project is to produce a major historical atlas of Great Britain and Ireland in time for the 200th anniversary of Britain's first census in 1801.
China historical GIS was started in 2001 and will establish a database of historical administrative districts for different periods throughout Chinese history. The original aim of the project was to create datasets from 1820 under the Qing dynasty. From there, they plan to move backwards and observe changes in geography, place names and administrative status. Currently they have datasets from 1911, 1820 and from 222 BC - 1911 AD. This data is available for download free of charge and contains more than forty layers.
These links will get you started on your search for information regarding the use of GIS in historical research.