Abstract

GIS-Based Cultural Resources Probabilistic Modeling in the Great Basin-Rocky Mountains
Track: Archaeology
Author(s): Lee Brannon

Cultural resources scoping and assessments for large development projects can be time-consuming and expensive. Without proper inventory planning, uncertainty of prehistoric site presence may result in valuable time being spent surveying areas not likely to contain sites while areas with potential high site density are overlooked. A well-developed probabilistic model would assist cultural resource managers in focusing the field study, scientifically testing expectations, and validating results. One approach SWCA has used is to create a GIS-based cultural sensitivity model, using ArcGIS ModelBuilder, to better determine areas of prehistoric site presence based on key environmental characteristics. This paper explains the use of the GIS-based model in analyzing archaeological site sensitivity, using the Great Basin-Rocky Mountain System interface as a setting, and describes the significance of specific local environmental variables as input to the model.

Lee Brannon
SWCA Environmental Consultants
295 Interlocken Blvd, Suite 300
Broomfield , Colorado 80021
United States
Phone: 303.487.1183
E-mail: lbrannon@swca.com