Geospatial Science (ISSN: 2454-6062)
Research Article
GS (2015) Vol.1, No.1, 1-8
Geospatial
Science
GLOBAL POSITION OF GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL
SITES IN AND AROUND THE GWALIOR FORT BY
USING REMOTELY SENSED DATA, GPS AND GIS
TECHNIQUES
P. K. Jain
Center of Remote Sensing & GIS, School of Studies in Earth Science, Jiwaji University, Gwalior (M.P.) - 474011, India, (dpkj_2005@yahoo.co.in)
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ABSTRACT: Many geoarchaeological monuments / sites are developed in and around the Gwalior fort,
famous of them are Manmandir Palace, Vikram Mandir, Karan Mahal, Johar Kund, Bhim Kund, Sas-Bahu
Ka Mandir, Suraj Kund, Teli Ka Mandir, Urwahi Group, Trishala Giri, Ek Pathar Ki Bawari, Gujari Mahal,
Girnar and Siddhanchal. Some of them are present over the surface and few within the Kaimur formation of
Vindhyan Super Group. Lithological all are made by the same sandstone material, as derived from the in situ
geological formation. Geoarchaeology is the multidisciplinary recent approach of research, which integrates
geographical, geological and archaeological information about the sites, which are present over and under the
earth surface for investigations with the help of computer.
Global positions of the said sites are recorded first time by using the modern technology of the recent
high-tech world. GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite based navigation system, which provides exact
location of any site present on the earth surface, in the form of geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude)
with elevation (height) from MSL. On the basis of Cartesian coordinates, the global position of the said
geoarchaeological sites can be shown on the world globe. More over the same data can be manipulated by GIS
(Geographic Information System) for making a site map as per our choice.
Remote sensing provides the RSD to get the required information within, in the remote sensing
community; the GPS has been recognized as an accurate, fast and cost effecting method for collecting the
geographic coordinates, which can be used in surveying and GIS applications. Normally it takes month or more
by using conventional methods, beside by using RSD, GPS and GIS techniques, the work can be done in few
days.
KEYWORDS: Geoarchaeological Sites, Remotely Sensed Data (RSD), GPS and GIS.
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1.
INTRODUCTION: The Gwalior fort (Fig.I) is equally world famous like the ancient Gwalior city in the Indian
history. Almost N-S trending fort is situated in middle of the city, resting over the 288 feet thick hill (1), known as fort
hill,and covering approximate 5 sq. km. area, falls in SOI toposheet no. 54 J/4.
Fig. I: Location Map
Many archaeological monuments / sites are well developed in and around the fort; famous of them are
namely- Manmandir Palace, Vikram Mandir, Karan Mahal, Johar Kund, Bhim Kund, Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir, Suraj
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Jain, P. K/Geospatial Science, Vol.1, No. 1
Kund, Teli Ka Mandir, Urwahi Group, Trishala Giri, Ek Pathar Ki Bawari, Gujari Mahal, Girnar and Siddhanchal.
Archaeological study deals with ancient history from the surviving traces of former societies (2). On other hands,
geoarchaeological techniques explore and examine the materials of the sites without conducting the major excavation
on the site (3). Geoarchaelogy is a recent field of research that uses the computer, cartography, GIS and DEM in
combination with disciplines from human and social sciences and earth sciences (4). The global positions of the said
sites are recorded for the first time by the “GPS receiver”.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY:
2.1.
REMOTELY SENSED DATA (RSD): Remote sensing is a tool or technique by which we can get the
information about any object present over the earth surface, without going and touching the object through the
analysis of the RSD, which are acquired by a device from a space or air-born platform. Archaeology is concerned with
the scientific study of historic or prehistoric peoples by analysis of the remains of their existence, especially those
remains that have been discovered through earth excavation (5). RSD are used here to identify and locate the sites
under investigations. Satellite image of IRS 1D, L 3, Geo-coded, Map ID 54 J/4, scale 1:50,000 is used.
2.2.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS): GPS is a satellite based navigation system. It is based on the
principle of trilateration. Trilateration is the basic geometric principle (6) that allows finding a location of the objects
under investigation. When we make a ground observation, we would like to get its accurate location on the earth globe
(7). GPS provides the exact location in the form of X, Y and Z, i.e. latitude, longitude and altitude (height) of any
ground object. In the sphere, satellite data could be effectively used for mapping archaeological monuments. The
Hampi remains were mapped in a similar way (8).“Garmin” make, etrex vista HCx model GPS receiver is used (Fig.
II) to get the geographic location with altitude of the investigated site to locate them globally.
Fig. II: GPS Receiver
2.3.
SURVEY OF INDIA (SOI) TOPOGRAPHIC MAP: It is used as a base map of the study area, because
which contains all basic information regarding the terrain elements (9) of the investigated site. SOI toposheet no. 54
J/4 is used to correlate the investigated site locations in the satellite image of same area.
2.4.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS): GIS is a computer based system, consists by hardware
and software, which provides the location details to solve the problem “what is it”? (10) on the globe, moreover
manage and analyses large volume of spatially referenced data associated attributes from a variety of sources (11). It
has effectively revolutionized the way in which disciplines such as geography, land resource management, ecology
and archaeology handle and interpret spatially referenced data sets of the earth’s surface (12). GIS means of
manipulating, multivariate complex observations within relatively flexible computer environment. Arc GIS software is
used to prepare a global map of the Gwalior fort, to show the geographic locations of the geoarchaeological
monuments within.
3.
GLOBAL LOCATION OF THE GWALIOR FORT: Global location of the famous Gwalior fort
(encircled) is shown in satellite image and SOI topographic map of same scale in Fig. III, the fort lies in between the
Cartesian coordinates 26012’35’’ to 26014’06’’ N and 78009’45’’ to 78010’32’’ E (13) and the fort hill section
comprises with 86 m thick rock pile from ground level (GL) i.e. 220 m from MSL. It is situated in NW direction,
approximately at the middle of the Gwalior city.
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Jain, P. K/Geospatial Science, Vol.1, No. 1
(a)
(b)
Fig. III: Location of Gwalior Fort (encircled) in Satellite Image (a) and SOI Map (b)
4.
GEOLOGY OF THE AREA: Geologically, the area under investigation is developed in Sandstone of
Kaimur formation (Upper Vindhyan Supper Group). Gwalior fort is rest on Kaimur formation. Jain colossi namelyUrwahi group, Trishla Giri, Ek Pathar Ki Bawari, Girnar and Siddanchal are excavated within (Fig.IV) the sandstone
of Kaimur formation. Rest monuments are made by the in situ geological material and locate on the surface within the
boundary of Gwalior fort. Geological setup (14) of the study area is shown in table I. Physical and megascopic
characters of the construction material of all the investigated sites suggest that, they were formed by the same material
as available around the fort. Moreover, some monuments / Jain colossi are architected within the said geological
formation by excavation and rest are on the formation by masonry work. In general, the sandstone of the Kaimur
formation shows fine grained and soft in nature, that’s why any design can be developed within as well as external
form of the monuments with the same. Surrounding conditions of the investigated sites are itself stated the story
regarding their in situ construction material without any doubt. Vertical lithological succession at the Gwalior fort hill
section is also shown by the Fig.IV.
Fort Boundary
ManmandirPalace
Bench mark (BM 306)
Alluvium
(Recent Formation)
Sandstone
(Kaimur Formation)
Upper Vindhyan Super Group
Jain's Colossi
248 m
~~~ Unconformity ~~~
245 m
Dolerite dykes and sills
240 m
Gwalior Group
(Morar Formation)
Shale
(Morar Formation)
220 m
Not to Scale
Fig. IV: Vertical Lithological Succession at the Gwalior fort hill section.
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Jain, P. K/Geospatial Science, Vol.1, No. 1
Super Group/ Group
Upper Vindhyan
Formation
Lithology
Recent
Alluvium
Kaimur formation
Sandstone
~~~~~~ Unconformity ~~~~~~
Morar
Gwalior
Dolerite dykes & sills, slate, limestone,
shale, clay, BIF (BHJ & BHC)
~~~~~~ Unconformity ~~~~~~
Par
Sandstone, shale and quartzite
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unconformity ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bundelkhand Granitic/ Gneissic Complex
Table I: Geological Setup of the study area.
5.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS OF THE GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: Geographic coordinates of
the geoarchaeological monuments are recorded first time by GPS in and around the Gwalior fort with their elevation
(altitude) are shown in the table II.
LOCATION
NO.
LOCATION
NAME
GEOGRAPHIC
COORDINATES
ALTITUDE
( IN FEET )
1
Manmandir Palace
260 13’ 50” N and
780 10’ 08” E
969
2
VikramMandir
260 13’ 53” N and
780 10’ 10” E
986
3
Karan Mahal
260 13’ 50” N and
780 10’ 08” E
999
4
Johar Kund
260 13’ 56” N and
780 10’ 11” E
987
5
Bhim Kund
260 13’ 59” N and
780 10’ 11” E
967
6
Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir
260 13’ 26” N and
780 10’ 13” E
977
7
Suraj Kund
260 13’ 23” N and
780 09’ 59” E
964
8
Teli Ka Mandir
260 13’ 13” N and
780 09’ 58” E
966
9
Urwahi Group
260 13’ 26” N and
780 09’ 53” E
803
10
Trishala Giri
260 13’ 16” N and
780 09’ 44” E
801
11
Ek Pathar Ki Bawari
260 12’ 55” N and
780 10’ 03” E
782
12
Gujari Mahal
260 14’ 02” N and
780 10’ 15” E
770
13
Girnar
260 13’ 55” N and
780 10’ 14” E
900
14
Siddhanchal
260 14’ 00” N and
780 10’ 04” E
890
Table II: Geographic locations of geoarchaeological monuments.
Jain, P. K/Geospatial Science, Vol.1, No. 1
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6.
GLOBAL POSITIONS OF THE FAMOUS GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: Recorded global
locations of the famous monuments/ sites are shown in and around the Gwalior fort (Map Fig. V).
Fig. V: Global positions of the famous sites around the Gwalior fort.
Fig. VI: Panoramic view of Manmandir Palace.
Fig. VII: Panoramic view of Sas-Bahu ka Mandir.
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Fig. VIII: Panoramic view of Teli ka Mandir.
Fig.IX: Panoramic view of Trishla Giri.
Fig.X: Panoramic view of Girnar.
Fig. XI: Panoramic view of Urwahi Group.
Fig. XII: Panoramic view of Ek Pathar Ki Bawari.
Fig. XIII: Panoramic view of Siddhanchal.
7. GLOBAL POSITIONS OF THE GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE RSD: The said
geoarchaeological sites are shown in Satellite image of IRS 1D, L 3, Geo-coded, Map ID 54 J/4, Scale 1:50,000
(Fig.XIV).
Fig. XIV: Global positions in the Satellite image.
8.
GLOBAL POSITIONS OF THE FAMOUS GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ON THE WORLD
GLOBE: The famous eight geoarchaeological monuments namely- 1. Manmandir Palace, 2. Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir, 3.
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Teli Ka Mandir, 4. Trishala Giri, 5. Girnar, 6. Urwahi Group, 7. Ek Pathar Ki Bawri and 8. Siddhanchal in and around
the Gwalior fort are shown in the world globe map Fig. XV, to locate them globally.
Area of Investigation
Madhya
Pradesh
INDIA
GWALIOR FORT
8
5
1
2
6
4
7
3
Fig. XV: Global Positions of the famous Geoarchaeological sites of Gwalior Fort on the world Globe.
9.
CONCLUSIONS: Geoarchaeological techniques are used frequently by the researchers in present time, to
explore hidden sites and examine buried artifacts without conducting a major excavation and remote sensing offers
more sophisticated options to the geoarchaeologist for find out unexplored hidden sites, one major goal of this process
Jain, P. K/Geospatial Science, Vol.1, No. 1
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is exploring landscape histories of a specific region. The study suggests that, all the geoarchaeological sites are made
by same in situ material as derived from the Kaimur formation of Vidhyan Super Group. Lithological, monuments
/sites are formed by the Kaimur sandstone.
The GPS technology has been recognized as an accurate, fast and cost effecting method for collecting the
geographic coordinates in terms of X, Y and Z i.e. Latitude, Longitude and Altitude. The records / data (X, Y and Z)
can be used well in surveying to generate the map of the area under investigation. Geographic coordinates are well
known parameters to solve the problems related to the location of the objects in the “World Globe”, subjected to
where is it? And what is it? By use of GPS, the work can be done within few hours or a day instead of month or more.
It is a time and money saving technique.
Remote sensing provides us the data (RSD) for analysis and identifying the objects in the same, GPS confirms
their locations in the field. Moreover, the data can be manipulated and integrated as per our choice by use of GIS.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Author is highly indebted to express their hearty thanks to Dr. S. N. Mohapatra,
Coordinator and Head, Center of Remote Sensing & GIS, School of Studies in Earth Science, Jiwaji University,
Gwalior (M.P.) -11, India for providing necessary facilities and valuable suggestions to compile the work.
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