A Spatial Analysis Model for Exploring Human-Environment Interactions

This Element introduces a methodological framework that positions itself between site-specific archaeological investigations and broader regional approaches characteristic of historical and landscape archaeology. While traditional archaeological studies often focus on detailed analyses of individual sites, and regional studies aim to identify large-scale patterns and long-term processes, the proposed method bridges these scales through the calculation of the minimum mobility space linked to settlements or production centers. This concept enables the delineation of the effective area of influence or resource exploitation surrounding a site, thereby offering a more nuanced perspective on how past communities organized and interacted with their immediate landscapes. The approach incorporates diverse environmental and historical variables, including geology, soil types, and topographical constraints, to reconstruct the spatial logic behind site location and land use. It employs a suite of analytical techniques such as cost-surface analysis, statistical modeling, and historical-geographical integration.