Geophysical survey locates an elusive Tlingit fort in south-east Alaska

Urban, Thomas M.; Carter, Brinnen

doi:10.15184/aqy.2020.241

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…Through the application of GIS and Python scripting, volume calculations can be scaled across many sites simultaneously, with automated calculations allowing for examination of data on a landscape level. As discussed, empirical observations remain vital to refining this 3D shape characterization through systematic coring (Letham et al 2017) and, perhaps, application of geophysical methods (Cariou et al 2018; Kenady et al 2018), although heavily forested sites on the Northwest Coast can be challenging (but see Urban and Carter [2021] for a recent successful application). Coring and auguring provide a good balance of time and effort (Cannon 2000; Duffield et al 2020; Martindale et al 2009; McKechnie 2014), and greater attention to this methodology will allow for refinement of accurate volume calculations in different cultural regions and coastal settings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating Volumes of Coastal Shell Midden Sites Using Geometric Solids

Gustas

McKechnie

Mackie

et al. 2022

Adv. archaeol. pract.

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Coastal shell midden deposits are a quintessential component of the archaeological record on the Pacific Northwest Coast. Despite their importance in informing the cultural and environmental histories of Indigenous peoples, research on shell middens has largely not sought to address the physical extent of these cultural deposits, which requires estimating shape, depth, and volume. Here, we present a new scalable geospatial model, designed to work with legacy survey data, for estimating midden volumes based on applying a regular geometric solid to sites with known extent and depth. We evaluate the accuracy of this technique using percussion core, total station, and lidar data from eight sites in Tseshaht territory on western Vancouver Island and three sites on the north coast of British Columbia (Canada). As part of the evaluation process of our results, we calculate uncertainty using subsurface core depth data and then compare generalized and modeled midden volume estimates. We demonstrate an accurate general model applied at the regional scale across a systematically surveyed landscape. This work presents the first landscape-scale measure of midden extents and volume within our study area, with relevance to historical ecology and settlement patterns.

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