Abstract

In this study I analyzed the pattern of settlement for known Medio period (A.D. 1200–1450) sites in the Casas Grandes region of Chihuahua, Mexico. Locational data acquired from survey projects in the Casas Grandes region were evaluated within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to reveal patterns in settlement and site distribution. Environmental and cultural variables, including aspect, cost distance to nearest ballcourt, ecoregion, elevation, local relief, cost distance to nearest oven, cost distance to Paquimé, slope, soil, terrain texture, topographic position index, cost distance to nearest trincheras, vegetation, vegetation variety to 100 meters, vegetation variety to 500 meters, cost distance to nearest intermittent lake, cost distance to nearest intermittent stream, cost distance to nearest perennial lake, and cost distance to nearest perennial stream were calculated for each site in this region. It was expected that the relationships of correspondence between known sites and these variables would provide a quantitative framework that could be used to model the locational probability of unknown sites in the region. Through the use of GIS and statistical analyses, the results of this study were used to produce an archaeological site sensitivity map for this region of northern Mexico.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Anthropology

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