A mathematical perspective on the determination of coastal peopling nuclei

Claude Gauthier, Ahcène Brahmi, Ghislain Vautour

Département de Mathématiques et de Statistique, Université de Moncton, Moncton, Canada;.

DOI: 10.4236/ns.2013.51003                

Abstract

Two versions of a mathematical model are proposed for the process underlying the choice of settlement sites of past, present and future populations along the world coastline. The model is primarily based on the geometry of coastline at the scale of the map representing the region under study. It can be used to determine sites of human occupation for archaeological interest, as well as to plan future movements of present coastal populations due to the current sea level rise. Two examples related to history are presented: the first applies to the coastal peopling of the Mediterranean region, and the second to the settlement of Acadians in North-East of the Canadian province of New Brunswick in the second half of the 18th century.

Keywords

Mathematical Modeling; Coastal

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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