Laserfiche WebLink
RESEARCH DESIGN <br /> <br />An archaeological predictive model is essentially a map that indicates the relative likelihood of <br />encountering archeological artifacts in a specified region. Such maps are sometimes referred to <br />as archaeological "sensitivity" maps because they indicate that some locations are more sensitive <br />than others in terms of the presence of cultural resources. One can think of these predictive maps <br />as showing three zones: for example, a high sensitivity zone where archaeological sites are most <br />likely, a medium zone where sites are less likely, and a low sensitivity zone where sites are <br />unlikely. <br /> <br />These maps, if they are accurate, hold tremendous potential as planning tools. I new development <br />and other land-disturbing projects can be guided to regions of low archaeological sensitivity, then <br />significantly fewer archaeological sites will tend to be encountered than otherwise. The result, in <br />the long run, is reduced costs for archeological survey and the preservation of resources. <br /> <br />It is the accuracy of these models that determines their utility. Obviously, we would want most <br />archaeological sites in the region to occur in the zone indicated as "high" sensitivity, very few <br />sites in the zone marked as "low" sensitivity, and some intermediate number in the "medium" <br />sensitivity region. This sort of performance can actually be examined and tested by comparing <br />the model-produced maps to actual archaeological field survey results. By comparing model <br />predictions against actual archaeological circumstances, it is possible to determine, with <br />specifiable confidence, how accurately a model performs. <br /> <br />An archaeologically sensitive parcel will usually meet one or more of the following criteria: <br /> <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br />· The parcel <br /> <br />contains a known archaeological site. <br />is located on an ancient lakeshore or beach ridge. <br />is on an upland area with a commanding view. <br />is within 50 meters ora stream or river. <br />is within 150 meters of a lake. <br />is within 100 meters of a wild ricing area. <br />is immediately adjacent to a wetland. <br />is adjacent to a portage or historic transportation route. <br /> <br />Once the pattern of relevant variables and measurements are known for a particular region, it then <br />remains to map it over the region to produce predictive maps. <br /> <br />SCOPE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES <br /> <br />We have conceptualized the work to be performed in executing the research outlined above as <br />involving five (5) elements or tasks: 1) project management, coordination, and meetings, 2) <br />literature/archival review, 3) historical/archaeological modeling, 4) site visit and field survey, and <br />5) and preparation of deliverables. The work to be performed in association with each of these is <br />outlined below. <br /> <br /> <br />