Exploring the spatial structure of pre-Columbian cultural landscapes in the Alto ParanĂĄ (Misiones province, Argentina)
This thesis investigates new approaches to analysing and interpreting the spatial structure of pre-Columbian cultural landscapes in the eastern La Plata basin, through two case studies the upper watershed of the RĂ­o ParanĂĄ, Misiones province, Argentina. Drawing on ânon-siteâ and âdistributionalâ archaeological theory to establish a robust spatial framework, the first case study concerns the organization of lithic technology in a sample constructed from survey data recorded during June and July 2013 in Eldorado Department. Point pattern data, combined with a desk-based analysis of stone tools, forms the baseline for the application of a family of spatial statistical analyses of surface archaeology derived from Ripleyâs K function, and supported by Monte Carlo simulation. These methods succeed in detecting significant technological trends at multiple spatial scales. The results are interpreted as a long-term accumulation of material deposited through different systems of land use, which overlap and blend in a palimpsest of occupational events that are irreducible to their individual episodes. The findings imply that the notion of archaeological âsitesâ is unfit for the purpose of studying past
Riris, Philip
CC Archaeology
Exploring the spatial structure of pre-Columbian cultural landscapes in the Alto ParanĂĄ (Misiones province, Argentina). This thesis investigates new approaches to analysing and interpreting the spatial structure of pre-Columbian cultural landscapes in the eastern La Plata basin, through two case studies the upper watershed of the RĂ­o ParanĂĄ, Misiones province, Argentina. Drawing on ânon-siteâ and âdistributionalâ archaeological theory to establish a robust spatial framework, the first case study concerns the organization of lithic technology in a sample constructed from survey data recorded during June and July 2013 in Eldorado Department. Point pattern data, combined with a desk-based analysis of stone tools, forms the baseline for the application of a family of spatial statistical analyses of surface archaeology derived from Ripleyâs K function, and supported by Monte Carlo simulation. These methods succeed in detecting significant technological trends at multiple spatial scales. The results are interpreted as a long-term accumulation of material deposited through different systems of land use, which overlap and blend in a palimpsest of occupational events that are irreducible to their individual episodes. The findings imply that the notion of archaeological âsitesâ is unfit for the purpose of studying past
exploring spatial structure pre_columbian cultural_landscape province argentina investigates new_approach analyse_interpret spatial structure pre_columbian cultural_landscape eastern basin two_case study upper watershed province argentina drawing non site distributional archaeological_theory establish robust spatial framework first case_study concern organization lithic_technology sample construct survey_data record department point pattern data combine desk based_analysis stone_tool form baseline application family spatial statistical_analysis surface archaeology derive function support simulation method succeed detect significant technological trend multiple spatial_scale interpret long_term accumulation material deposit different system_land use overlap blend palimpsest occupational event irreducible individual episode finding imply notion archaeological_site unfit purpose_study past