Settlement is the process by which a site or area is first occupied by humans. It generally refers to the act of establishing a permanent or semi-permanent residence, although it may also refer to temporary dwellings and campsites. The term can also be used to refer to the physical process of clearing land for development or cultivation.
In archaeology, settlement refers to the process by which a group of people first begins to occupy an area. This usually happens over a long period of time, as people gradually move into an area in search of resources or better conditions. Archaeologists often study settlements as they can provide information about the way people lived in the past and how they interacted with their environment.
The study of settlement patterns is known as Settlement Pattern Analysis (SPA). This approach looks at where people choose to settle, and why they make these decisions. It can be used to investigate everything from ancient civilizations to modern urban planning. SPA is particularly useful for understanding how different cultures interact with their surroundings.
There are many different types of settlement, ranging from small villages to large cities. The size and type of settlement depends on a number of factors, including the availability of resources, the climate, and the culture of the people who live there.