Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Mapping The Landscape For Archaeological Detection, Preservation, And Interpretation: A Case Study In High Resolution Location Modeling From The Blue Mountains Of Northeastern Oregon, Trent Skinner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Archaeological location modeling (ALM) is an important tool in most survey strategies, and has contributed substantially to economizing efforts to locate and characterize the archaeological record. The increasing availability of high resolution (<3m) airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) data has the potential to refine the application and ultimately the role of ALM. This research tests the precision and accuracy gained by incorporating lidar derived data into an ALM. The site records and other environmental data used in this study were all generated over the last four decades by the resource specialists of the Malheur National Forest. The Weights-of-Evidence (WofE) probability method (Bonham-Carter 1994) was used to produce two ALMs; one based on a 10m digital elevation model (DEM) created from satellite imaging, and the second from a 3m resolution lidar derived DEM. Independent variables (e.g., slope, aspect, distance to water, etc.) commonly used in ALM were largely replaced by index variables (e.g., slope position classification, topographic wetness index, etc.). The final models were classified into areas of high, medium, and low archaeological potential, then cross-validated against a reserved random dataset. Models were then compared using the Kvamme gain statistic and site to area frequency ratio. The 3m model demonstrated a significant improvement over the results obtained from the 10m model and the current probability model used in the study area. A number of factors including model resolution, statistical methodology, and the character of the independent and dependent variables all contributed to the increase in precision and accuracy. The incremental improvement in modeling efficiency demonstrated here will create time and cost saving in the management and preservation of cultural resources, and ultimately contribute to a better understanding of patterns of past human land use.

Patterned Variation Of Early Woodland Waubesa Contracting Stem Projectile Points In Wisconsin, Michael G. Straskowski

Culminating Projects in Cultural Resource Management

The overall research goal is to examine the Waubesa Contracting Stem projectile points from three different regions to determine if there are any stylistic changes between three geographically defined concentrations. Identifying any statistical patterning of the blade and shoulder may be related to different social influences from the different geographical regions. The knowledge gained by identifying different styles of Waubesa Contracting Stem points could allow archaeologists to determine which of these three regions a point most likely came from if recovered outside of the core culture area.

The study of patterned variation in Waubesa Contracting Stem points could indicate the …

Distribution Of Knife Lake Siltstone And Associated Manufacturing Technologies Local To The Wendt Site Quarry, Daughter District, Lake County, Minnesota, Phillip R. Bauschard

Culminating Projects in Cultural Resource Management

The thesis herein seeks to test the effects of distance on the use of Knife Lake Siltstone (KLS) within local proximity to its primary outcrops in Northeastern Minnesota. Distance is used as a raw measure across which characteristics of KLS assemblages at distinct distances from the identified outcrops are discussed. It is theorized that the general presence of KLS material will decline over increased distance from the primary outcrops and that likewise technological organization at sites will reflect the increased distance from the primary outcrops. Through examination of site KLS assemblages which included cores, bifaces, unifaces, flake tools, debitage, end-scrapers, …

Before Abandonment: Social Change In Pre-Colonial Housepit 54, Bridge River Site (Eerl4), British Columbia, Kathryn L. Bobolinski

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Housepit 54 at the Bridge River pithouse village in south-central British Columbia provides a glimpse into the complex cultural practices that occurred in this area in the past. This village, which includes approximately 80 semi-subterranean structures, was occupied during four periods, approximately 1800- 1600 cal. B.P., 1600-1300 cal. B.P., 1300-1000 cal. B.P. and 500-100 cal. B.P, firmly placing the site within both a historic and a pre-Colonial context. The two pre-Colonial floors, IIb (1288-1058 cal B.P.) and IIa (1184-1050 cal B.P.), that represent the occupation of Housepit 54 directly prior to the pre-Colonial villages abandonment are the focus of this …