Award Date

1-1-2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology and Ethnic Studies

First Committee Member

Karen Harry

Number of Pages

201

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop, test, and utilize a Geographic Information Systems based predictive model of prehistoric site location and settlement for the Shivwits Plateau in northwestern Arizona to better understand settlement patterns and land use across the region from the Archaic to Protohistoric period. The GIS data are used to determine site location probability for specific temporal phases of Virgin Anasazi cultural activity. The database includes previously recorded sites, vegetation, elevation, aspect, slope, and water resources which are integrated to establish probable patterns of land use and settlement; My thesis examines two research questions. First, is it possible to reliably predict site locations? This focuses on the results of the predictive model. Second, what can this information tell us? Utilizing model and comparative research settlement, subsistence strategies, and settlement/subsistence differences and similarities between the Kayenta, Virgin Anasazi, and the Southern Paiute are explored.

Keywords

Arizona; Land; Model; Northwest; Plateau; Predictive; Prehistoric; Settlement; Shivwits

Controlled Subject

Archaeology; Indians of North America--Study and teaching

File Format

pdf

File Size

7106.56 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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