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Eco-Cultural Zonation (fwd)
Hugh W. Jarvis (hjarvis@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU)
Thu, 2 Nov 1995 12:46:15 -0500
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 02 Nov 95 07:26:00 MST
From: Brian Kenny - MCDOT <KENNY@planning.mcdot.maricopa.gov>
Article #182:
<http://aspin.asu.edu/provider/swa/discussion/article182.html>
From: Catalinus@AOL.COM (John Giacobbe)
Subject: Eco-Cultural Zonation
Date: Wed, 01 Nov
Dear fellow listmembers,
I am writing with a two part request. The first part is asking
for an evaluation of the development of a model concerning correlations
between topography and prehistoric settlement patterns. The second part
is a request for additional data regarding the implementation of this
model.
This model is a work in progress being developed by myself and Lilly
Aguila
at Western Archaeological Services, Inc. We collected the initial data
for
this model from work in Lincoln County, New Mexico, and have added to it
with
data from projects in southern New Mexico, but hope to apply it in
similar
environments elsewhere if the models intricacies can be further refined.
The model considers the relationships between site chronology,
location, slope, and features, examined using the eco-cultural zonation
model. This model at present predicts that winter-dominant rainfall
pattern occupations will be characterized by south/southwest facing
slopes and high elevations, and that summer rainfall pattern occupations
will be characterized by east/north facing slopes and lower elevations.
This model is an enhancement of earlier suggestions by Wimberly and
Rogers in the Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. The models most basic form
was tested using regression analysis, ANOVA, Pearson's Correlation
Matrix, and Spearman's Correlation Coefficient, on data recovered from
Class III pedestrian surveys. Results indicate that, in the absence of
subsurface data, elevation and slope direction are useful independent
variables with which to determine chronologically specific patterns of
settlement location.
We are expanding the ecological criteria of evaluation to include
more specific artifact distributions, more discrete topographic
settings,
and more refined regression and correlation techniques. We have
applied this model with excellent correlation success to prehistoric
Paleoindian, Archaic, and Mogollon components in southern New
Mexico. We have made attempts to apply it to historic components, but
have met with far less significant correlation values.
In addition to asking for comment regarding the implementation of
this model, I would encourage suggestions for tangent angles of
evaluation. I would also invite scholars, especially those working in
similar ecosystems and temporal periods, to contribute data along these
veins. What we really want at present, is the site type and temporal
period, any features present, the topographic setting, degree and
direction of slope, elevation of site, and artifact classes and
percentage
frequencies observed. While we realize this is a bit of information you
may not have readily available, most state site recordation forms
require
at least this minimal data. While such a request for data may appear
unusual online, the degree of correlation we are observing is quite
exciting, and the potential for elucidation of less comprehensive sites
from this models parameters may be significant. We feel more data is
necessary in order to make any broader interpretative statements.
Unfortunately, the collection of such data is a slow process, hence the
request.
I invite our fellow researchers to email me privately at the
address
listed below. Thanks for your time.
John A. Giacobbe
Western Archaeological Services, Inc.
Catalinus@AOL.COM
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