Cartographies of culture: Exploring India’s heritage through geospatial analysis
Rajani, M.B. (2025). Cartographies of culture: Exploring India’s heritage through geospatial analysis, in: Rajani, M.B. Spatial narratives of India's heritage: Integrating geospatial analysis in the humanities. pp. 1-13. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0117-5_1
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| Abstract |
Geospatial technologies have revolutionized research in cultural heritage, by providing powerful tools to analyze, visualize, and interpret historical landscapes. These further assist researchers in four primary ways: (1) reconstructing historical geographies, (2) mapping site distributions, (3) uncovering hidden archaeological features in a site’s vicinity, and (4) developing heritage site management strategies. Spatial Narratives of India’s Heritage: Geospatial Analysis in the Humanities presents examples of how Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial analysis can be used in each of these ways to enhance our understanding of India’s historical landscapes via multidisciplinary research. This editorial chapter introduces the volume, contextualizing recent research such as the Harappan site of Lothal, Mumbai’s evolving landform, the ancient city of Valabhi, and Hyderabad’s fortified capital. Additionally, it presents Bodh Gaya as a comprehensive case study integrating all four research applications. Further, by summarizing the book’s contributions, this chapter provides a structured overview of how geospatial perspectives continue to advance heritage research and conservation efforts in India. |
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