Analysis of Feature Intervisibility and Cumulative Visibility Using GIS, Bayesian and Spatial Statistics: A Study from the Mandara Mountains, Northern Cameroon

Research on the Diy-Gid-Biy (DGB) cultural landscape of the Mandara Mountains, northern Cameroon, reveals that the placement of archaeological sites was strategically optimized for intervisibility and visual prominence. Using geostatistical, Bayesian logistic regression, and spatial statistics, scientists found that DGB sites are significantly more visible to one another than random permutations, suggesting deliberate selection based on sightlines. Additionally, these sites tend to be located on gentler slopes, further enhancing their conspicuousness. The study leverages advanced statistical methods to demonstrate how visibility influenced ritual, social cooperation, or competition, providing new insights into the intentionality behind site placement in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wright, D. K., MacEachern, S., & Lee, J. (2014). Analysis of Feature Intervisibility and Cumulative Visibility Using GIS, Bayesian and Spatial Statistics: A Study from the Mandara Mountains, Northern Cameroon. PLoS ONE, 9(11), e112191. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112191