Abstract

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Paper
Modeling Native American Sacred Sites in Rocky Mountain National Park
Track: Parks and Natural Reserves
Author(s): David Diggs, Robert Brunswig

Recent completion of System-wide Archeological Inventory Program (SAIP) investigations by the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) resulted in survey coverage of 29,000 acres of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), USA. More than 1,000 archeological sites were identified in SAIP. Among those sites were ones considered to represent past Native American religious activities. This project utilizes data from survey-identified Native American sacred sites to develop a preliminary site location GIS predictive model of sacred site landscapes within RMNP. ArcGIS/ArcView 3D Analyst, Spatial Analyst and Arc-SDM (for weights of evidence) extensions were used to develop a predictive model of sacred sites. A key factor in the model was line of sight to religiously significant peaks and mountains as determined by Native American consultations. Results, conclusions, and recommendations from this study may aid those wishing to attempt similar projects.

David Diggs
University of Northern Colorado
Geography
Dept.of Geography, Univ. of N. Colo.
Greeley , CO 80639
US
Phone: 970-351-1113
Fax: 970-351-2890
E-mail: david.diggs@unco.edu

Robert Brunswig
University of Northern Colorado
School of Social Science
Candelaria 2200
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley , CO CO
US
Phone: 970-351-2138
E-mail: robert.brunswig@unco.edu