John F. Chamblee, Ph.D.

Database & Cartographic Design Portfolio

Chickasawhatchee Archaeological Survey

From June of 2003 through August of 2004 I conducted archaeological survey and intensive testing at over 250 sites in and around the Chickasawhatchee Swamp of southwestern Georgia. In order to maximize analytical efficiency, I built an integrated relational database application using Microsoft Access 2002. The design allows for integrated multi-scalar analysis of both ceramic and lithic data from survey, testing, and excavation contexts.

The database keys were established to maximize efficiency in the geographic display of artifact data. Table structures for storing site attribute data were also designed to facilitate easy integration with other settlement pattern data, such as those from the Georgia Archaeological Site File.

The major conclusions from my dissertation were 1) that, during the period between 200 A.D. and 1540 A.D., settlement patterns in the Chickasawhatchee Swamp exhibited more continuity than did neighboring regions and 2) that the heterogeneous nature of the landscape patch structure within the swamp was largely responsible for this continuity. All maps and tables suppporting these conclusions were produced using this database.