GIS Applications in Easter Island: Geodetic Adjustments and Survey Maps Accuracy

Abstract

This paper discusses the variables and methodology involved in the geodetic transformations required for the adjustment of the Easter Island Archaeological Survey's cartography — until recently supposed to be Datum Easter Island 1967 — into the current world geodetic system, WGS84, base of the NAVSTARGPS system, and explores the limitations for archaeological fieldwork of the absolute method used by the "satellite navigators" in relation with the cartographic scales considered.