Models of settlement structures of the Perm Kama region population in the Early Iron Age

An analysis of contemporary literature on settlement systems and spatial analysis of archaeological sites is presented in the paper. The challenges associated with using geographic information systems tools for spatial analysis are identified. The authors present theoretical foundations for the analysis of settlement systems and the reconstruction of population adaptation systems. Three settlement models are proposed, each characterized by a specific level of economic and cultural development and social structure, taking into account changing environmental conditions. The “horizontal” model implies the synchronous coexistence of all known archaeological sites of a certain period, each of which was an independent settlement economic unit and belonged to a separate community. Such a unit can be either a fortified settlement or an unfortified one, without taking into account its nature and location. The “vertical” model involves a system of all-season and seasonal settlements that operates within the framework of the economy of one community. In this case, the topographic position of the monument is taken into account. Thus, all-season settlements (fortified and unfortified) are located on the ledges of bedrock terraces, while seasonal settlements are located in floodplain areas of river valleys. The third model, the “hierarchical” model, builds upon the “horizontal” model by incorporating a more complex social system, such as a chiefdom or other medium-complex society, within the economic framework of the natural and climatic context. This model highlights a central large settlement with a complex multi-rampart fortification system, surrounded by both fortified and unfortified year-round settlements, as well as seasonal settlements. Along the perimeter, there may also be settlements that mark the boundary of the territory of a particular population group.