Comparative Analysis of the Components: Form and Spatial Arrangement of Classes of Features

Extract

We are dealing here only with the data from cultural features; our analysis and conclusions cannot be considered final until the information from plant and animal remains and the analysis of cultural items are complete. We have attempted to isolate differences attributable to functional variability in the range of activities represented by the cultural features; we have also attempted to delimit those particular features representing different historical episodes in the occupation of the site. The results of this analysis were the delineation of 4 major discrete occupations to which the vast majority of cultural features could be referred. Each occupation can be structurally defined in terms of its composition in functionally differentiated types of features.

We now turn our attention to the analysis of these components as units to be compared in terms of a limited number of attribute classes, each largely dependent upon the taxa resulting from the analysis discussed above. With respect to cultural features, we can compare the components with respect to the following broad attribute classes: 1) form, spatial arrangement, and history of domestic structure; 2) form, spatial arrangement, and history of burials; and 3) form and spatial arrangement of classes of pits.

Utilizing these criteria, we shall compare the communities recognized in the hope of arriving at some insights into the settlement systems of the socio-cultural units represented and into the correlated forms of social organization.