A GIS based approach to the spatial analysis of the Fincastle Bison Kill Site (DIOx-5)

The Fincastle Bison Kill Site (DlOx-5), located in Southern Alberta, Canada, yielded a significant number of archaeological remains, including projectile points, lithic tools, debitage, fire broken rock (FBR) and fauna. The large 81 m2 East Block excavation area provided an opportunity to spatially analyze the remains from this part of the site using a Geographic Information System (GIS), a program that is becoming more widely employed and accepted in archaeology. This research explored the benefits of using a GIS to spatially analyze archaeological sites by using the data collected from the excavations carried out at the Fincastle Site. The process of applying spatial statistical tests and creating distribution maps within the GIS software was outlined, and the results were archaeologically interpreted. It was confirmed that a GIS can perform all of the tasks needed to spatially analyze an archaeological site and the additional benefits make a valuable component of archaeological research.

Authors

• Mills, Tammi
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science

• Excavations (Archaeology) -- Alberta -- Fincastle Kill Site
• Geographic information systems -- Alberta -- Fincastle Kill Site
• Excavations (Archaeology) -- Geographic information systems -- Alberta -- Fincastle Kill Site
• Spatial analysis (Statistics) in archaeology
• Dissertations, Academic

Identifier

hdl:10133/2472

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/2472