Browsing by Subject "Cultural landscape"

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    Geomorphological and Archaeoastronomical Analysis of a Neolithic Landscape, Cranborne Chase, Southern Britain
    (2024-01) Burley, Paul
    Cranborne Chase in southwest England is a well-known area of Neolithic archaeology where a nexus of population growth, cultural evolution and resource extraction during the 4th millennium led to development of one of the highest densities of earthen monuments, including numerous long barrows, the largest and longest cursus in Britain, and many other structures. Natural physiographic characteristics of the study area in tandem with anthropomorphic modification of local vegetation patterns on the downs since the Mesolithic provided a distinctive setting where the Early- to Middle-Neolithic cultural landscape developed. However, reasons for siting monuments at certain locations within the complex chalkland landscape, the purpose of specific and unique architectural forms and features of the earthen structures, and spatial relationships between the pattern of monuments and elements of the surrounding environment as a whole remain largely enigmatic. Are there special features of the natural landscape that the Neolithic population valued for earthen monument development, and why was such a high density of earthen monuments developed there? This thesis describes geological and paleo-environmental characteristics and cultural features of the study area c. 4th millennium, evaluates similarities and differences associated with Neolithic and Bronze Age earthen and chambered burial sites located across Britain, and presents methods and results of an astrometric analysis of topographic position, monument orientation, and viewscape from earthen monuments at Cranborne Chase. Results of this study demonstrate that spatial and temporal relationships between the earthen structures and elements of the surrounding landscape, seascape, and skyscape are key to recognizing and understanding the symbolism and signification expressed by the monumental architecture. The cultural landscape – including the pattern of both natural features and earthen monuments at Cranborne Chase, the South Hampshire Lowlands, and surrounding region – expresses spatial and temporal unification by alignment between Earth and sky, and the living and the dead. In that way, the cultural landscape is related to a Neolithic cosmology emphasizing features of the landscape and skyscape.
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    Interpretive accommodations for National Park Service visitors who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing
    (2014-09) Hansen, Elsa Marie
    The National Park Service (NPS) works to protect natural and cultural landscapes for the American people. Part of achieving their mission includes providing the best possible services to visitors, including interpretive services. The goal of interpretation is to increase the visitor’s enjoyment and understanding of the parks. It is stated that the “NPS will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that persons with disabilities receive the same interpretive opportunities as non-disabled persons, in the most integrated setting possible” (National Park Service, 2005-2011, section VIII.I, para. 1). About 7.6 million people in the U.S. (3.1%) experience a hearing difficulty, “defined as experiencing deafness or having difficulty hearing a normal conversation, even when wearing a hearing aid." Many national park units experience high visitation, yet provide varying levels of accessibility offered for interpretive services. This study provides an overview of the interpretive accommodations currently provided to NPS visitors who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing (HoH) through a survey of national park units. Results show that most park units do provide some form of interpretive accommodations for visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH. Many park units have also completed accessibility assessments, which have been used to guide the provision of accommodations for visitors with disabilities, including visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH. Still, results also indicated that many park units perceived their unit was not sufficiently meeting the needs of visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH, and many respondents felt that their unit should be doing more. This along with a high overall survey response rate v suggests something other than an attitudinal barrier to ensuring non-hearing visitors and hearing visitors have similar interpretive experiences. Respondents indicated that barriers to providing interpretive accommodations included budget and staffing constraints, competing priorities for general and interpretive budgets and staff time, lack of knowledge or familiarity with possible services used by visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH, and limited knowledge of legal responsibilities or guidelines pertaining to visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH.