DOI: 10.7488/ds/1786
title: Boundary Dataset for the Jazira Region of Syria

description: This boundary dataset complements 13 other datasets as part of a study that compared ancient settlement patterns with modern environmental conditions in the Jazira region of Syria. This study examined settlement distribution and density patterns over the past five millennia using archaeological survey reports and French 1930s 1:200,000 scale maps to locate and map archaeological sites. An archaeological site dataset was created and compared to and modelled with soil, geology, terrain (contour), surface and subsurface hydrology and normal and dry year precipitation pattern datasets; there are also three spreadsheet datasets providing 1963 precipitation and temperature readings collected at three locations in the region. The environmental datasets were created to account for ancient and modern population subsistence activities, which comprise barley and wheat farming and livestock grazing. These environmental datasets were subsequently modelled with the archaeological site dataset, as well as, land use and population density datasets for the Jazira region. Ancient trade routes were also mapped and factored into the model, and a comparison was made to ascertain if there was a correlation between ancient and modern settlement patterns and environmental conditions; the latter influencing subsistence activities. This boundary dataset was generated to define the extent of the study area, which comprises the border between Syria and Turkey, Syria and Iraq, the River Tigris and the River Euphrates. All related data collected was confined within this boundary dataset with the exception of the archaeological dataset. Archaeological sites were identified and mapped along both banks of the River Euphrates. Also, the town of Dayr az-Zawr, where the 1963 precipitation and temperature monthly values were collected for one of the datasets, falls outside the Jazira Region. Derived from 1:200,000 French Levant Map Series (Further Information element in this metadata record provides list of sheets).The boundary line dataset was captured from 11 map sheets, which were based on the French Levant surveys conducted in Syria during the 1930s and mapped at a scale of 1:200,000. The size of each map measures 69 x 59 cm. The boundary line on each sheet was traced to mylar. Subsequently, each mylar sheet was photocopied and reduced in size to an 11 x 17 inch sheet. These sheets were merged to form the contiguous area comprising the full extent of the boundary for the study area. This was then traced again to another mylar sheet and subsequently scanned and cleaned for further processing and use in a GIS as a polygon coverage. Thesis M 2001 MATH, Ohio University Mathys, Antone J 'A GIS comparative analysis of bronze age settlement patterns and the contemporary physical landscape in the Jazira Region of Syria'., French Levant Map Series (1:200,000) for Syrie (Syria). Projected to Lambert grid. These are colour maps measuring to 69 x 59 cm in size. The dataset was created from the following sheet numbers and titles: 1) NI-37 XVII, Abou Kemal 2) NI-37 XVIII, Ana 3) NI-37 XXI, Ressafe 4) NI-37 XXII, Raqqa 5) NI-37 XXIII, Deir ez Zoir 6) NI-37 XXIV, Bouara 7) NI-37-III, Djerablous 8) NJ-37 IV, Toual Aaba 9) NJ-37 V, Hassetche 10) NJ-37 VI, Qamishliye-Sinjar 11) (No sheet number), Qaratchok-Darh Dressepar la Service Geographique des F.F.L. en 1945 Reimprime par l'Institut Geographique National en 1950 (Originally produced by this Geographic Service of the F.F.L. (Forces Francaises Libres) in 1945 and reprinted by the National Geographic Institute in 1950). Paris: France. Institut Geographique National, 1945-1950. Original map series might be traced to Beirut: Bureau Topographique des Troupes françaises du Levant, 1933-1938. GIS vector data. This dataset was first accessioned in the EDINA ShareGeo Open repository on 2010-06-09 and migrated to Edinburgh DataShare on 2017-02-21.
description: ESRI Shapefile