Archaeology--Geographic information systems

The interrelatedness of archaeology, geography, and environment, in conjunction with the utilization of modern technology has become evident. This thesis employs the main principles of Environmental Archaeology while utilizing Geographic Information System technology to analyze the distribution of Paleoindian and Archaic period sites in south Florida. The following research demonstrates populations preferred certain areas to others, and environment played a considerable role in this preference, as indicated by the patterns that arose when site locations were analyzed based on environmental variables. These patterns in site locations were used to determine the most likely and least likely areas of south Florida for finding new archaeological sites. This thesis also provides an evaluation of the varions environmental and archaeological data sets used, concluding that paleoenvironmental reconstruction is a worthwhile goal, greatly enhancing modern environmental data sets used in this study.

The purpose of the proposed investigation is a multi-faceted study providing the opportunity to (a) examine the transverse Glades waterways within Broward County, Florida as trade networks during precolumbian times, (b) critically examine the importance of shark teeth as a commodity in the prehistoric commerce of south Florida, and (c) explore the utility of geographic information systems (GIS) in the resolution of the archaeological questions noted above. As suggested by the above statement, this study will focus on the dynamics involved in the distribution of shark teeth throughout archaeological sites in Broward County noting whether there are noticeable changes in the frequency of their distribution over time, or whether it is relatively constant. The study will attempt to better understand the important role of the southeast Florida transverse Glades waterways in the coast to inland commerce of shark teeth.