Articles

Archaeological Site Distribution in the Lalmai-Mainamati Region: A Least Cost Path Analysis


Abstract


This study investigates the spatial distribution of archaeological sites in the Lalmai–Mainamati region of Bangladesh, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, using Least-Cost Path Analysis (LCP) within a GIS framework. Lalmai–Mainamati—identified with the ancient city of Devaparvata—flourished as a Buddhist cultural and economic centre under the Deva, Khadga, and Chandra kingdoms. Despite its extensive heritage, no previous research has systematically examined site distribution in the area. We implement LCP using slope, palaeochannels, water bodies, and Tobler’s hiking function to model ancient mobility. The results indicate that many sites and structures lie within approximately 15 minutes’ walking time of one another along least-cost routes, while others are more dispersed; we also assess the potential roles of riverine corridors and terrestrial paths. Overall, the study offers a replicable framework for spatial analysis in South Asian archaeology, particularly in Bangladesh.

Keywords


Lalmai-Mainamati or Devaparvata; GIS-based Least Cost Path Analysis (LCPA); Spatial Distribution; Computational Archaeology

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2423/i22394303v15n2p197

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