ABSTRACT

This study employs an ideal free distribution (IFD) model to conduct a fine-grained analysis of environmental factors affecting the pre-Columbian colonisation sequence and settlement patterning in the southern Lesser Antilles of the Eastern Caribbean. We compiled a database of all known archaeological site locations and associated chronological data from St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada, and vetted this dataset for accuracy. We then performed multivariate statistical analysis of the vetted site data and 24 environmental variables hypothesised to influence settlement habitat quality, including soil attributes, proximity to freshwater/stream beds, structure and sizes of marine environments, and net primary productivity (NPP) layers. Iterative testing and refinement of the model allowed for the creation of a predictive map of pre-Columbian archaeological sites over time. Results indicate proximity to freshwater wetlands, NPP, and reef size were important variables influencing habitat choice. Additionally, latitude (distance from the equator) was also a significant variable, indicating support for a proposed colonisation of the southern Lesser Antilles that began in the northern Caribbean, rather than the south. Lastly, we provide a site inventory and map of predicted site locations that can aid in the management of threatened archaeological resources within the study region.

摘要

本研究采用理想的自由分布 (IFD) 模型对影响东加勒比小安的列斯群岛南部前哥伦布时期殖民序列和定居模式的环境因素进行细粒度分析。我们编制了一个数据库，其中包含来自圣文森特、格林纳丁斯和格林纳达的所有已知考古遗址位置和相关的年代数据，并审查了该数据集的准确性。然后，我们对经过审查的场地数据和 24 个环境变量进行了多元统计分析，这些变量假设会影响定居栖息地质量，包括土壤属性、与淡水/河床的接近程度、海洋环境的结构和大小，以及净初级生产力 (NPP) 层。模型的迭代测试和改进允许随着时间的推移创建前哥伦布考古遗址的预测地图。结果表明靠近淡水湿地、NPP 和珊瑚礁大小是影响栖息地选择的重要变量。此外，纬度（与赤道的距离）也是一个重要变量，表明支持从加勒比北部而不是南部开始对小安的列斯群岛南部进行殖民的提议。最后，我们提供了一个站点清单和预测站点位置的地图，可以帮助管理研究区域内受威胁的考古资源。纬度（与赤道的距离）也是一个重要变量，表明支持从加勒比北部而不是南部开始对小安的列斯群岛南部进行殖民的提议。最后，我们提供了一个站点清单和预测站点位置的地图，可以帮助管理研究区域内受威胁的考古资源。纬度（与赤道的距离）也是一个重要变量，表明支持从加勒比北部而不是南部开始对小安的列斯群岛南部进行殖民的提议。最后，我们提供了一个站点清单和预测站点位置的地图，可以帮助管理研究区域内受威胁的考古资源。