Abstract

This paper will present the preliminary results of an investigation into the prediction of possible areas of site location based upon known locations of prehistoric sites in British Columbia's Thompson River Valley. A Macintosh-based Geographic Information System (GIS) called MAP 11 was employed to examine an area of approximately 725 square kilometers of the Thompson River between Spence's Bridge and Ashcroft. Archaeological information concerning known site locations, functions and temporal associations and 'natural variables' such as elevation and hydrology were each stored on a different digital 'map'. Using the GIS to essentially 'add' and 'subtract' these separate maps, an attempt was made to determine if associations exist between areas of site location and these 'natural variables'. The GIS was subsequently employed to identify localities exhibiting potential for these same associations. The resulting maps (labelled visual possibility statements) have the potential for providing insight into undiscovered areas of site locations.