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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Geography

Nathan M Craig

Warfare

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Ground Truthing Of Remotely Identified Fortifications On The Central Coast Of Perú, Margaret Brown Vega, Nathan M. Craig, Gerbert Asencios Lindo Jan 2011

Ground Truthing Of Remotely Identified Fortifications On The Central Coast Of Perú, Margaret Brown Vega, Nathan M. Craig, Gerbert Asencios Lindo

Nathan M Craig

Remote imagery, including freely available satellite images viewed in Google Earth_ and historic aerial photographs, was used to identify anomalies in a 25,000 km2 macroregion encompassing 13 river valleys along the Peruvian coast. These anomalies, located atop hills and mountains, were hypothesized prehispanic fortifications. A sample of remotely identified anomalies was ground truthed in the Huaura and Fortaleza Valleys on the Central Coast of Perú. 140 positive anomalies were documented and assessed using a simple defensibility index. Our results significantly increase the number of fortifications identified in both valleys. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method for locating fortifications in …


New Experimental Data On The Distance Of Sling Projectiles, Margaret Y. Brown Vega, Nathan M. Craig Jan 2009

New Experimental Data On The Distance Of Sling Projectiles, Margaret Y. Brown Vega, Nathan M. Craig

Nathan M Craig

The range of stones cast by slings used in the past is debated. In the Central Andes, slings are asserted to be important weapons of prehispanic war, and have been recovered archaeologically. Rolled river cobbles and stones presumed to be slingstones found at fortified hilltop archaeological sites are presented as evidence that slings were used at these fortifications. Yet sling use has not been adequately tested at hillforts. Experiments conducted in Europe by a novice slinger have attempted to illuminate the range of sling cast stones at ancient hillforts. Data acquired from native slingers is necessary to more accurately assess …