From the Empirical to the Conjectural: Settlement Patterns on the Mesa Verde Landform
Kelsey M Reese
Abstract A consistent issue that arises in archaeological studies is the absence of a complete set of data on which to perform analyses. Data may be unavailable for a variety of reasons, but its absence often inhibits complete understanding of a population in a defined area. In southwestern Colorado, survey coverage on the Mesa Verde landform is limited to the extent of Mesa Verde National Park, and therefore settlement studies are limited to less than one third of the prominent landform. To fully understand the size and expanse of habitations that were present in this area, this case study extrapolates settlement information from the recorded area to help understand the settlements that could possibly lie in what is unrecorded. Utilizing geospatial analyses, multiple dimensions of settlement choices, and overarching settlement patterns, this paper will present potential demographic and settlement characteristics from A.D. 600-1280; and further include placement of habitation sites and various types of public architecture that may exist beyond the boundaries of Mesa Verde National Park.
