Estimating the Size of Human Settlement of Bujang Valley, Kedah Using Geographic Information System

NARIMAH SAMAT

Abstract


ABSTRACT: Archaeological evidences showed that Bujang Valley in Kedah was once a port that controlled trade between China and India between the 4th Century and the 14th Century AD. However, little evidences were found that could relate the local people with socio-economic and established trade systems. This study aims to use Geographic Information System (GIS) to investigate pattern and estimate the size of human settlement during its golden era. The study found that ancient settlements were clustered in close proximity to rivers which were used as a mean of transportation and water supply. The extend of human settlement was confined surrounding existing sites assuming that the movement was based on foot mainly due to physical barrier of the sites. The finding provides clue on the size of settlement and area of interaction between human and its environment in Bujang Valley, Kedah. This result could potentially be used at the early stages of the study prior to undertaking excavation of the area.

Key words: site-catchment analysis, pathdistance, Bujang Valley, point pattern analysis, geographic information system(GIS)


ABSTRAK: Bukti-bukti penemuan arkeologi menunjukkan bahawa Lembah Bujang di Kedah merupakan sebuah pelabuhan yang mengawal perdagangan antara China dan India di antara abad ke-4 hingga abad ke-14 Masihi. Walau bagaimanapun, tidak banyak bukti yang ditemui yang boleh mengaitkan masyarakat tempatan dengan sistem sosioekonomi dan perdagangan. Kajian ini bertujuan menggunakan Sistem Maklumat Geografi (GIS) bagi menyelidiki corak dan menganggarkan saiz petempatan masyarakat tempatan pada zaman kegemilangannya. Kajian ini mendapati petempatan masyarakat zaman dahulu berkelompok berdekatan sungai yang digunakan sebagai jalan pengangkutan dan sumber air. Keluasan petempatan manusia berkisar dalam jarak yang boleh dihubungi dengan berjalan kaki disebabkan halangan fizikal tapak. Dapatan ini memberikan gambaran tentang keluasan petempatan dan kawasan interaksi manusia dengan persekitarannya di Lembah Bujang, Kedah. Hasilan ini berpotensi digunakan pada peringkat awal kajian iaitu sebelum usaha ekskavasi dilaksanakan.

Kata kunci: GIS, analisis zon tadahan, pathdistance, Lembah Bujang, analisis corak titik, sistem maklumat geografi


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References


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