A Predictive Spatial Model of Jornada Mogollon Sites on the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexic

The Lincoln National Forest (LNF) has produced a wealth of GIS data on archaeological sites in southeastern New Mexico as a part of its heritage management program. Using these unanalyzed data, this thesis develops a predictive spatial model for archaeological deposit locations on the Lincoln National Forest and offers information on the interaction between pre-contact people and their environment. I developed a GIS model of high potential areas for Jornada Mogollon archaeological sites based on slope, elevation, and distance to sources of water. I examined the distribution and density of archaeological deposits relative to geographic and environmental factors of the Sacramento, Smokey Bear, and Guadalupe Ranger Districts of the LNF. Each district is located within a different mountain range and has unique environmental and geographic conditions. This project represents a preliminary exploration of spatial data in southeastern New Mexico, a region that is often overlooked in archaeological research. With the available GIS data, I make observations about patterning of the archaeological record and produce a testable product for the U.S. Forest Service.