History

Master's thesis

University of Tennessee, 2007

An Analysis of the Spatial Distribution of Chiefdom Settlements: Modeling the Mississippian Culture in the Tennessee River Valley

Abstract

Location-allocation models based on optimization criteria are appropriate tools for the analysis of archaeological settlement patterns. In early agricultural societies, elite classes might maximize their control of the population and resources by optimally situating their primary settlements. Location-allocation models can simulate the multiple factors that potentially underlie settlement site location decisions. I describe several maximal covering models and their applicability to understand the degree of political centralization in the Upper Tennessee River Valley during several Mississippian archaeological cultural phases (900 to 1600 A.D.). My results support the notion that the main objective of the Mississippian elite in choosing sites for administrative centers was to maximize control of the local population and the supporting agricultural economy. The results also support the work of anthropologists and archaeologists regarding the variable degrees of political complexity during time periods of the Mississippian culture. Cultures during the earliest time period (1000-1200 A.D.) and the northern part of the study area during the latest time period (1450-1600 A.D.) in the analysis were found to be the least complex, resembling simple tribal societies unable to maximize their control over the entire Valley population and its resources. Factors such as the location of trade routes and selected resource deposits were not accounted for in the location-allocation models developed for this research and may account for the less-than-optimal results in settlement system control.

Archaeology

Field and lab career

2000–2004

Penn State University

B.A. Geography & Anthropology, GIS certification

Studied at Penn State and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Geography and Anthropology and a Certification in GIS.

2002

Washington State University Archaeological Field School

Eastern Oregon

Excavated prehistoric cultures at the WSU field school in Eastern Oregon.

2003

NSF-REU — University of Southern Maine

Geography / Geology field school

Mapped a colonial town in Maine as part of the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.

2004

Cartography Technician — Archaeological Research Laboratory

University of Tennessee

Performed data analysis and helped build a GIS database from prehistoric and historic sites associated with State Route 73 (U.S. 321) improvements in Tuckaleechee Cove, Townsend, Tennessee. Also took part in an archaeological survey of the Cumberland National Recreation Area on the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia border.

2004–2007

M.S. Geography — University of Tennessee

Master's thesis on Mississippian settlement patterns

Completed graduate research on location-allocation modeling of chiefdom settlements in the Upper Tennessee River Valley.

2004–2007

Volunteer — Fall Creek Falls Archaeological Survey

Tennessee

Volunteered on the Fall Creek Falls Archaeological Survey while completing graduate studies.

Printed maps

Undergrad cartography

2000–2004 · NSF REU and related work

Graduate school maps

2004–2007 · Thesis and papers

ArcGIS Desktop era

ArcPy Production Toolset

An ESRI ArcPy production toolbar / add-in for ArcGIS Desktop workflows — search, merge, and other processing tools built for day-to-day cartography and geodatabase work.