Isla Cilvituk: Finding Primary Contexts Using GIS

Summary

My main goal with this thesis was to create a sampling design, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which would allow me to determine the best datable contexts at Isla Cilvituk. Once this sampling design was created, I analyzed the spatial distribution of these datable contexts using the frequency of specimens divided by the total volume of each archaeological layer as a measurement of density (m3). This analysis was divided into two parts. The first analysis looked at the distribution among the eleven sectors as well as the distribution among the structure types. The question here was whether the different sectors were occupied at the same time or if they represented distinct construction periods. The same question applies for the structure types. The second analysis looked at the distribution among the five house-lot zones. For this analysis, I divided up the fauna remains into identifiable and non-identifiable remains, which is a measurement of the fragmentation of the fauna remains. The question for this analysis was whether or not organic remains, such as the fauna remains at Isla Cilvituk, are distributed in the same way as non-organic remains according to the house-lot model.

Once these archaeological contexts were determined, I was able to run statistical analyses of the fauna remains contained within. The result of those statistics shows me that there is no overt connection between the house-lot model as designed for ceramics and the spatial distribution of the fauna remains at Isla Cilvituk. If the fauna remains were distributed according to the house-lot model there would be a higher density of fauna remains in evidence the farther out one goes. I would expect to see a higher density of identifiable remains in the structure and patio zones and a

higher density of non-identifiable remains in the garden and intermediary zones. After I analyzed the test results, I came to realize that neither of these suppositions was true at this site. Instead, the density of identifiable remains was uniformly greater throughout the site and there was not a single zone that contained a higher concentration of non-identifiable remains.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Rani T. Alexander Digital Archive

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Radiocarbon Date: 1324 to 387 (14C Age BP, 9 radiocarbon dates from animal bone)

Calendar Date: 600 to 1500 (Architecture and Ceramics)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Principal Investigator(s): Rani T Alexander

Record Identifiers

Consejo de Arqueologia, Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH)(s): Oficio #: C.A. 401-36/492, C.A. 401-36/188, C.A.401-36/427

New Mexico State University, Institutional Review Board, Human Subjects Research(s): Permit 5711 (expedited) 2003

Notes

General Note: This archaeological project was not born digital.

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