Computer Services Program
Databases & Web Site Development
Staff | Databases & Web Sites | GIS | Geophysical Research
AMASDA (Automated Management of Archeological Site Data in Arkansas)
AMASDA is a set of databases containing information on archeological sites and projects in Arkansas. Development began in the late 1970's and since that time the Arkansas Archeological Survey has continually updated the information fields and the hardware and software platforms on which the system resides. AMASDA remains one of the most comprehensive archeological databases in the country.
AMASDA presently contains four operational databases. The SITE FILES database contains approximately 150 information fields on nearly 40,000 archeological sites. The PROJECTS database has information on over 4,900 archeological projects. The CITATIONS database summarizes 4,800 archeological reports from Arkansas and about 2,000 regional reports. The RADIOCARBON database contains information on more than 500 radiometric assays on archeological specimens from Arkansas .
Several additional databases are under construction. These include SITE FORM IMAGES, a database of scanned archeological site forms currently under development with support from an Arkansas Highways and Transportation Department grant. The original site forms we are scanning for this database often contain information (in the form of maps and drawings, narrative comments, etc.) not encoded within the SITE FILES database, but which nonetheless furnish important data for planning and research applications. SITE AND ARTIFACT PHOTOS is a database of digitized photographic images of major archeological sites and diagnostic artifact types. A HISTORICAL CONTEXTS database is also under development, containing information on archeological study units (time periods, cultural phases, etc.) described in A State Plan for the Conservation of Archeological Resources in Arkansas; these study units are also used in the “cultural affiliation” field in the SITE FILES database. Study units provide the cultural context for evaluating site significance both for research and for planning and environmental review purposes. Preparation of the PHOTOS and HISTORICAL CONTEXTS databases is supported by a grant from the Mack-Blackwell Transportation Center (see below). Finally, we propose to develop a PROJECT MAPS database for this project, containing digital images of the 7.5 minute USGS quadrangles on which archeological project boundaries have been plotted. Inquiries concerning archeological project boundaries is a major source of daily telephone communication with the Survey Registrar’s Office, and this new database will be designed to provide quick online access to the specific information most often sought on project boundaries.
AMASDA databases are state-of-the-art relational databases allowing users to query archeological site locations, archeological project locations, National Register status, and other information along with supporting documentation. SITE FILES and PROJECTS are also linked to the Survey’s GIS system. Information retrieved from these databases can be exported to other GIS software programs.
Grant Projects: Databases & Mack-Blackwell
Under the Survey Registrar's grant from Mack-Blackwell Rural Transportation Center, a new web site is currently being designed that will enable users to perform customized web-based searches of some of the Survey's site record databases: Radiocarbon Assays, Citations, Site and Artifact Photos, and Archeological Study Units.
Grant Projects: Rock Art & NEH
"Rock Art and the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex" is George Sabo's $175,000 grant project to study the production and use of rock art as an element within Mississippian culture religion and cosmology. Under the scope of this grant is a cultural landscape analysis of rock art sites using Geographic Information Systems. The existing Rock Art web site will be expanded to include interactive 3D models of selected sites. New information collected during the project's fieldwork component will be available in the searchable online database, and additional online educational materials, activities, and lesson plans are under development. See the press release for more information.
Educational Web Sites
The Survey has been using the World Wide Web to distribute information about Arkansas archeology since 1995. In addition to the Survey's main web site, which currently provides a wealth of resources about the prehistory of our state, the CSP has also produced in conjuction with George Sabo two interactive educational Web sites.
Indians of Arkansas is based on Dr. Sabo's NEH-funded CD-ROM First Encounters: Native Americans and Europeans in the Mississippi Valley and provides educational resources and learning exercises covering Indian history from the earliest times to the present.
Rock Art in Arkansas is the culmination of Arkansas Humanities Council and National Endowment for the Humanities grants which allowed a Survey research team led by George Sabo to compile and update all extant records on rock art in the state. A searchable database was created for the web site, which also has a variety of teaching resources suitable for art history, social studies, and information technology instruction.
Currently under development is a "Crossroads of the Past" web portal which will integrate the First Encounters CD-ROM content, other currently available educational materials, and the new Radiocarbon and Citations databases into one cohesive and easily accessible product. This will greatly enhance the Survey's ability to distribute information about Arkansas archeology, and will facilitate both professional and student research.
Other websites that have been developed by the CSP include "Archeological Parks in the U.S.," the Southeastern Archaeological Conference website, and the pages for the South Central Historical Archaeological Conference.
