Considerations of Scale in Considerations of Scale in Modeling Settlement Patterns Modeling Settlement Patterns Using GIS: An Using GIS: An

Iroquois ExampleIroquois Example

Kathleen M. Sydoriak AllenKathleen M. Sydoriak Allen

Chapter 6 in the CRM bookChapter 6 in the CRM book

Iroquois Head DressAssembled by Nancy H

Spatial Scale History (literature)Spatial Scale History (literature) Archaeologists have known that scale needs to be Archaeologists have known that scale needs to be

considered when settlement patterns are modeledconsidered when settlement patterns are modeled

Clarke (1977) – introduced terms such as “micro”, Clarke (1977) – introduced terms such as “micro”, “semi-micro” and “macro” – to refer to within-site and “semi-micro” and “macro” – to refer to within-site and intersite levelsintersite levels

Butzer (1982) – included the term “mesoscale” used for Butzer (1982) – included the term “mesoscale” used for within-site structure aggregation areas and within-site structure aggregation areas and “macroscale” for intersite patterning that is related to “macroscale” for intersite patterning that is related to environmental featuresenvironmental features

Both emphasized patterning at the local level despite Both emphasized patterning at the local level despite the difference in terminology usedthe difference in terminology used

Definitions (this chapter)Definitions (this chapter) Global Global - Broad regional level that could - Broad regional level that could

include 10,000 kminclude 10,000 km22 plus plus- Most useful for studying the broad - Most useful for studying the broad

effects of environmental variables on effects of environmental variables on settlement and adaptive patternssettlement and adaptive patterns

- Relationships between the - Relationships between the environment and settlement locationenvironment and settlement location

- Specific locations may be less - Specific locations may be less important – important –

DefinitionsDefinitions RegionalRegional

– – Areas that are larger than the site level – Areas that are larger than the site level – 5,500 km5,500 km22

- Focus on more specific variables of - Focus on more specific variables of importance – smaller focus produces importance – smaller focus produces more detailed results for comparative more detailed results for comparative data – soil types, temperature regimes, data – soil types, temperature regimes, vegetation, & proximity to different vegetation, & proximity to different ethnic groupsethnic groups

- Often specific locations are less important- Often specific locations are less important

DefinitionsDefinitions Local Local

- Studies of approximately 100 km- Studies of approximately 100 km2 2

- Specific resources identified and Specific resources identified and assessed for their importance based on assessed for their importance based on their proximity to the location choicetheir proximity to the location choice

- – – consider clay deposits, close consider clay deposits, close wetlands, & routes between the site and wetlands, & routes between the site and its resources.its resources.

- Lower tolerance for errorsLower tolerance for errors

Spatial Scale IssuesSpatial Scale Issues REMEMBER Map scale is the relationship between a a REMEMBER Map scale is the relationship between a a

map distance and its distance on Earth’s surface.map distance and its distance on Earth’s surface.

Digital products from the USGS provide maps at scales of Digital products from the USGS provide maps at scales of 1:24,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000. (examples follow 1:24,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000. (examples follow next)next)

Concerns of data quality, resolution of the data layers Concerns of data quality, resolution of the data layers and the size of the GIS is importantand the size of the GIS is important

Accuracy of the mapped area required varies depending Accuracy of the mapped area required varies depending on the research questions at the spatial level of intereston the research questions at the spatial level of interest

Spatial scale issues through Iroquois example – show the Spatial scale issues through Iroquois example – show the effect of spatial scale and data resolution on settlement effect of spatial scale and data resolution on settlement analysesanalyses

1:24,000

Other Related ConsiderationsOther Related Considerations

Map Scale: from small scale (1:250,000) to Map Scale: from small scale (1:250,000) to large scale (1:24,000). large scale (1:24,000).

Resolution: the accuracy or level of Resolution: the accuracy or level of uncertainty in point location or distance uncertainty in point location or distance measurement datameasurement data

Cell Size: Should be as small as the Cell Size: Should be as small as the smallest unit area in which one is smallest unit area in which one is interestedinterested

Iroquoian ExampleIroquoian Example

GlobalGlobal – those who share the basic – those who share the basic Iroquoian cultural pattern – number of Iroquoian cultural pattern – number of different tribal groups in the eastern Great different tribal groups in the eastern Great Lakes regionLakes region

RegionalRegional – subareas that correspond to – subareas that correspond to tribal groups – Tribal settlementstribal groups – Tribal settlements

Local or SubregionalLocal or Subregional – particular drainages – particular drainages or clusters of settlements in close or clusters of settlements in close proximity to each otherproximity to each other

Iroquois NationsIroquois Nations

SenecaSeneca

CayugaCayuga

OnondagaOnondaga

OneidaOneida

MohawkMohawk

TuscaroraTuscarora

Iroquoian ExampleIroquoian Example

Many different studies have been conducted in Many different studies have been conducted in the Iroquoian area that have helped in the the Iroquoian area that have helped in the understanding of the location of settlements in understanding of the location of settlements in relationship to environmental features (listed in relationship to environmental features (listed in slide after next)slide after next)

Many different researchers and research Many different researchers and research interests – soils, defensibility, external forcesinterests – soils, defensibility, external forces

Understanding similarities and differences in Understanding similarities and differences in addressing evolution of tribal forms of addressing evolution of tribal forms of organization-global view tends to obscure organization-global view tends to obscure differences in order to understand overall differences in order to understand overall settlement patterning and subsistencesettlement patterning and subsistence

GIS, Spatial Scale and ArchaeologyGIS, Spatial Scale and Archaeology

John Knoerl – (global scale of Iroquois settlement location) John Knoerl – (global scale of Iroquois settlement location) identified 3 kinds of scale: spatial, temporal and phenomenological identified 3 kinds of scale: spatial, temporal and phenomenological

- Archaeological units start at the lowest level with behavior and are - Archaeological units start at the lowest level with behavior and are combined into larger units – random/non random patternscombined into larger units – random/non random patterns

- Archaeological scale (included in phenomenological)- the - Archaeological scale (included in phenomenological)- the combination of space, time, and the behavioral grouping that is combination of space, time, and the behavioral grouping that is correlated to the archaeological unit of interestcorrelated to the archaeological unit of interest

- Important to understand the methods that archaeologists use for - Important to understand the methods that archaeologists use for analysis and know what scales the archaeologist is using – look at analysis and know what scales the archaeologist is using – look at the same levelthe same level

- Knoerl’s work important – encourages identification of local as well - Knoerl’s work important – encourages identification of local as well as global and regional patterns in settlement location – important as global and regional patterns in settlement location – important for all archy studies to look at holistic applicationsfor all archy studies to look at holistic applications

Scale applied to cultural Scale applied to cultural patternspatterns

GlobalGlobal- groups that share cultural - groups that share cultural patterns (New York State and Southern patterns (New York State and Southern Ontario)Ontario)

RegionalRegional- subareas that correspond to - subareas that correspond to tribal groups (Hudson Settlements in the tribal groups (Hudson Settlements in the Lake Simcoe Region)Lake Simcoe Region)

LocalLocal- particular drainage or cluster of - particular drainage or cluster of settlementssettlements

Prior studiesPrior studies Focused on regional and local scalesFocused on regional and local scales

•Identified some regions of population concentrations•Identified how groups differ

Soil depletion villages moved every 15-20 years pattern of village sequences

Seneca VillageSeneca Village Agricultural soilsAgricultural soils DefensibilityDefensibility Proximity to other resourcesProximity to other resources Where the previous village was Where the previous village was

located located Relationships with other groupsRelationships with other groups

John KnoerlJohn Knoerl

““Archaeological scale is the combination of Archaeological scale is the combination of space, time, and behavior grouping that is space, time, and behavior grouping that is correlated to the archaeological unit of correlated to the archaeological unit of interest.”interest.”

5 km grid cell GIS5 km grid cell GISTrend surface analysis Trend surface analysis identify regional, identify regional, subregional, and local trendssubregional, and local trendsMaize suitability mapMaize suitability map38% overlap with 38% overlap with archaeological sitesarchaeological sites

0.5 0.5 km^2 cell sizekm^2 cell size Focused on the movement of sites in Focused on the movement of sites in

relation to external forcesrelation to external forces Examined three regions (Lake Plain, Examined three regions (Lake Plain,

Central River Valley, and Allegheny Central River Valley, and Allegheny Plateau)Plateau)

Compared archaeological data to Compared archaeological data to wetlands, canoe-navigable waterways, wetlands, canoe-navigable waterways, diversity and soildiversity and soil

Movement is caused by resource depletion Movement is caused by resource depletion

Eleanzer HuntEleanzer Hunt

Western Region of New York StateWestern Region of New York State Regional and local approachRegional and local approach Same scale as Hasenstab (0.5km)Same scale as Hasenstab (0.5km) Regional: frost-free days, precipitation, soilRegional: frost-free days, precipitation, soil Local: focus on soilLocal: focus on soil Sites were located in horticulturally Sites were located in horticulturally

productive but before horticulture was in productive but before horticulture was in use. use.

Didn’t look at other factorsDidn’t look at other factors

BondBond

Old schoolOld school 1:20,000 soils map1:20,000 soils map All sites in productive soils and defensive All sites in productive soils and defensive

positionspositions Not the Not the bestbest soils soils

Access to hunting and fishingAccess to hunting and fishing

Classic Mixed Cropping: Three Sisters

-- an example of mixed (inter) cropping of maize, beans, and curcurbits (squash and pumpkins). These 3 plants, domesticated at different times, were together a major component of Native Amer.agriculture, historically documented by the Seneca and Iroquois, starting sometime after 1000 AD.

All 3 seeds are planted in the same hole. The maize provides a stalk for the beans to climb, beans are nutrient-rich to offset that taken out by the maize, and the squash grows low to the ground to keep weeds down and water from evaporating from the soil in the heat. (about.com, reworded some)

Lake CayugaLake Cayuga

5 watersheds (included Seneca River, 5 watersheds (included Seneca River, Paines Creek, Salmon Creek, Great Gully, Paines Creek, Salmon Creek, Great Gully, and other smaller creeks)and other smaller creeks)

Low forest productivityLow forest productivity Frost-free days just above the limit (120 Frost-free days just above the limit (120

days)days) Poor soilPoor soil Concern for defense was important to Concern for defense was important to

some villagessome villages

Reviewing Study ScalesReviewing Study Scales

Local level: support Hasenstab’s Local level: support Hasenstab’s hypothesishypothesis

Global: global level population Global: global level population influencesinfluences

Regional: Not just agriculture but Regional: Not just agriculture but defense is a factor in population defense is a factor in population movementmovement

Spatial Scale Themes:Spatial Scale Themes:(Clarke)(Clarke)

““Micro” refers to studies at a Micro” refers to studies at a structurestructure

““Semi-micro” refers to studies within Semi-micro” refers to studies within a sitea site

““Macro” refers to studies on the Macro” refers to studies on the intersite levelintersite level

Butzer:Butzer:

Uses Micro and Semi-micro in a Uses Micro and Semi-micro in a similar way to Clarke similar way to Clarke

““Mesoscale” refers to within-site Mesoscale” refers to within-site structure aggregation areasstructure aggregation areas

““Macroscale” is used for intersite Macroscale” is used for intersite patterning related to environmental patterning related to environmental features in or around a central point features in or around a central point for administrative, economic, or for administrative, economic, or ceremonial practice.ceremonial practice.

Knoerl’s Scale TypesKnoerl’s Scale Types

Spatial ScaleSpatial Scale

Temporal ScaleTemporal Scale

Phenomenological Scale (includes Phenomenological Scale (includes populational, behavioral and populational, behavioral and archaeological scale)archaeological scale)

* Patterns that appear random at one * Patterns that appear random at one level may have meaning at another.level may have meaning at another.

Local analysis looks at particular Local analysis looks at particular resources available in the IMMEDIATE area resources available in the IMMEDIATE area (within 100 sq. km) such as clay deposits, (within 100 sq. km) such as clay deposits, that may contribute to site selection.that may contribute to site selection.

Regional (macroscale) studies include Regional (macroscale) studies include areas larger than site level (5,500 sq. km) areas larger than site level (5,500 sq. km) involving intersite analysis.involving intersite analysis.

Global analysis looks at areas of 10,000+ Global analysis looks at areas of 10,000+ sq. km encompassing a broader regional sq. km encompassing a broader regional area.area.

Allen’s TermsAllen’s Terms

ApplicationsApplications

The question at hand will determine The question at hand will determine the map scale, resolution and cell the map scale, resolution and cell size, as well as the spatial scale size, as well as the spatial scale (local, regional or global) we use.(local, regional or global) we use.

In this case researchers are In this case researchers are interested in knowing why the interested in knowing why the Iroquois chose certain locations to Iroquois chose certain locations to establish villages. establish villages.

They examined the issue from local, They examined the issue from local, regional and global perspectives. regional and global perspectives.

Questions that arise:Questions that arise:

What factors other than soil quality What factors other than soil quality were important to the tribes in were important to the tribes in choosing a location for settlement?choosing a location for settlement?

What are the differences between What are the differences between tribal areas?tribal areas?

Are certain resources more available Are certain resources more available in one area than in another?in one area than in another?

How does the availability of resources How does the availability of resources affect interaction between groups?affect interaction between groups?

Considerations for Settlement:Considerations for Settlement:

Soil suitable for horticulture, Soil suitable for horticulture, particularly maize, beans and particularly maize, beans and squash.squash.

Access to fishing and Access to fishing and hunting defensive positioning hunting defensive positioning

Precipitation and snowfallPrecipitation and snowfall

Number of frost free daysNumber of frost free days

Previous location - ease of transition.Previous location - ease of transition.

Conclusion: re Scale

Large scale data provide great flexibility and accuracy regarding specific environmental characteristics critical to decision making

Small scale data helps us to look at environmental factors of broad importance and helps us understand what is possible in a given environmental framework