Research
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The Basin of Mexico GIS Project

The Basin of Mexico GIS Project

gis map of the Basin of Mexico

Since 2006 research funding provided by the National Science Foundation has been used to build a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) database for prehispanic settlement patterns in the Basin of Mexico.  Archaeological surveys conducted in the Basin of Mexico around Mexico City from 1966-1975 by Jeffrey Parsons and Richard Blanton located 2,072 archaeological sites dating from 1200 BC — AD 1521.  Today most of those sites have been destroyed.  Original site information along with environmental data on soil productivity and rainfall are being compiled into a Geospatial database to retest models of cultural developed based on agricultural intensification proposed for this region since the 1970s.  This project is part of Penn State’s ongoing efforts to build a broad Geospatial data base for prehispanic settlement within Central Mexican highlands.  Training is available within the department for introductory and advanced geospatial research and analysis.