A spatial analysis of neolithic chambered cairns on the island of Arran, Scotland

Bibliographic Data

ID12132863
AuthorsChristine M Perry (University of Strathclyde, corresponding author), Donald A Davidson (University of Strathclyde)
Year1987
Volume2
Issue2
Pages121-130
Publication date1987-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0883-6353 • E-ISSN: 1520-6548
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/gea.3340020202
OpenAlexW1997739760
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited7

The island of Arran, located to the west of central Scotland, has a dense concentration of Neolithic chambered cairns. The aim of this study is to determine by using a simulation analysis the extent to which thirteen factors influenced the distribution of cairns. Overall, proximity to arable land is shown to be of particular importance but the influence of stream order, coastal type, amplitude of relief, and aspect are also demonstrated to have been of relevance. Since there is little evidence from absolute dating, subdivision of cairns on typological grounds provides the only means for analyzing cairn distributions at three different phases. Results from simulation and cluster analysis indicate variation through time in importance of particular factors. Early cairns are only associated with low relief areas. For cairns of intermediate and later age, the factors as listed above are shown to have been of importance, with proximity to arable land becoming particularly relevant in the last phase. The paper discusses these results in terms of an increasing agricultural component to the Neolithic economy of Arran

Agriculture · Arable land · Archaeology · Distribution (mathematics · Geography · Subdivision · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology

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