Bears Ears Archaeological Probability Models

Summary

Currently encompassing over 1,300,000 acres, Bears Ears is notable for abundant cultural resources and is in a renewed spotlight following the 2017 recommendation by the Interior Secretary to reduce its acreage. Archaeological probability models were recently developed for lands within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, Monticello Field Office, which encompasses the Bears Ears National Monument. Regardless of the outcomes of that process, these models were developed to help land managers make well-informed decisions and implement its multiple use mission, including managing for recreation, grazing, and oil and gas. Modeled site types include up to four prehistoric site types and two historic site types. Given available site data, certain site types are not modeled for all areas. Stepwise logistic regression is used to combine significant environmental variables to produce probability maps with values ranging from 0 (low) to 1 (high). Certain site types are modeled more effectively than others. For example, prehistoric sheltered and rock art sites are more precisely modeled than open-air sites. The site type models were also combined into a composite sensitivity model, which shows that high and moderate probability areas cover much of the National Monument.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20983