EXPLORING SURFACE COLLECTED DATA WITH SPATIAL ANALYSIS METHODS

Surface collection is commonly conducted as a first step in the investigation of many archaeological sites. Such data are often used to provide information concerning the subsurface nature of the site. In some instances, the surface collected data can provide additional information concerning the site component(s) represented at a site. In cases where intact cultural deposits are not present below the base of the plow zone, surface collected data may represent the only chance of understanding the site. In this article, we apply spatial analysis methods to surface collection data from two prehistoric sites (15Hr14 and 15FL104) in Kentucky. By combining the results of the spatial analysis with that of the lithic analysis, additional data concerning both sites are brought to light.