With the precision of modern computers, polygons of infinitely small dimensions can be stored and maintained in the GIS database. For the South Carolina data, no minimum resolution was necessary. Data were digitized as they were represented on the maps and in accordance with the rules and procedures discussed above. Accuracy refers to the variation between the observed and actual position of a feature or set of features. It may be relative or absolute.
Relative accuracy refers to the relationship of a single map feature to other features on the map.
The U.S. Bureau of Standards has established acceptable standards of accuracy referred to as National Map Accuracy Standards. As a result, it is best not to mix data of different map scales. Although each layer may comply with National Map Accuracy Standards, relative accuracy errors may occur from their combination. Because of the nature of archaeological site data, most site delineations do not comply with National Map Accuracy Standards. Many of the site boundaries are not well defined but are approximations based on surface collection or limited subsurface testing.