To browse Academia. Robbi Bishop-Taylor , Adela Sobotkova. Site catchment analysis has a long history in archaeological studies. It has been used to explore a wide range of topics from changing land use patterns to socio-political organization.
In this paper we discuss the results of site catchment analysis applied to the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman eras in the Kazanlak Valley, Bulgaria, especially the evolving relationship between past inhabitants and their environment. Combining geoarchaeological data, geographic modelling, and multivariate cluster analysis, this study develops a quantitative potential arable productivity model for the cultivation of wheat and barley. We contextualise this model with settlement data produced through systematic surface survey conducted by the Tundzha Regional Archaeological Project TRAP.
Arable productivity proved to be a significant factor controlling the location of settlements within the study area during all periods except for the Early Iron Age. Multivariate cluster analysis produced three distinct productivity-based site classifications, and successfully delineated strategic site locations from those chosen based on agricultural potential.
This study demonstrates how catchment analysis can reveal the factors determining human habitation in later prehistory. This arable productivity model also provides one of the inputs for site catchment analysis. Anna Swieder.
For this region a 2, km2 large DTM was generated. This is the basis for further investigations on archaeological and historical features covered by trees. Until yet it was possible to identify and digitalize more than archaeological sites.
