Developing GIS-based weights of evidence predictive models of pre-Columbian sites in Trinidad

Aimed at enhancing cultural resource management of Trinidad's pre-Columbian sites, on the basis of GIS weights of evidence, this dissertation has produced archaeological site predictive models for Cipero, South Oropouche and Restnorth, three watersheds in the south and southwest of the island. Weights of evidence analysis of prehistoric archaeological sites and their areal association with evidential themes such as landform, relief, soils and land capability formed the basis upon which predictive models were generated. The study suggests that pre-Columbian archaeological sites in south and southwestern Trinidad are likely to be found in areas with hilly relief, land capability characterized by either fairly good land or land unsuitable for agriculture due to slope and/or water limitations, upland landforms and in areas with “free internal drainage soils” along the south coast of the island.; The archaeology of Trinidad has invariably been characterized by little or no information about inter-site spatial relationships as well as the relationships among sites and the biophysical properties of the landscape on a regional scale. Given these realities, this GIS-based dissertation was necessary, as it provided predictive models for more clearly understanding the spatial relationships between pre-Columbian sites and Trinidad's multi-faceted ecology. Essentially, the models generated in this dissertation are intended to significantly improve the cultural resource management of Trinidad's pre-Columbian sites by (a) reducing the monetary and time costs of fieldwork on the island, (b) facilitating more effective land-use management, (c) helping archaeologists to devise more appropriate field surveys strategies, (d) assisting archaeologists and cultural resource managers to create, update and protect Trinidad's archaeological database, and (e) providing an appropriate framework for developing a sustainable cultural tourism product for Trinidad.