Alternative location modeling of a lower/middle Palaeolithic site on deposits mapped as clay-with-flints in southern England

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have facilitated the evolution of spatial analysis techniques. This paper demonstrates the use of alternative location modelling (ALM), a new method we have developed, to investigate the cognitive decision making processes of Lower/Middle Palaeolithic people at D...

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Bibliografiska uppgifter
Huvudupphovsmän: Scott-Jackson, WB, Scott-Jackson, J
Materialtyp: Working paper
Språk:English
Publicerad: PADMAC Unit 2008
Beskrivning
Sammanfattning:Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have facilitated the evolution of spatial analysis techniques. This paper demonstrates the use of alternative location modelling (ALM), a new method we have developed, to investigate the cognitive decision making processes of Lower/Middle Palaeolithic people at Dickett’s Field, Hampshire, UK. The hypothesis addressed is that the site was chosen by Palaeolithic people as a vantage point from which they could observe the movements of animals on the slopes and valleys below whilst manufacturing stone-tools. This analysis is based on the distribution patterns of Palaeolithic debitage found on this high-level Chalk downland plateau capped with deposits mapped as Clay-with-flints in southern England (UK). The use of ALM has value in exploring locational criteria in both prehistoric and historic contexts.