First, a buffer was generated along the potential communication paths. The result shows an area along the roads
with a maximum distance of 500 m in which Minoan settlements might have been located. Based on the slope
DEM-derivative, a hypothetical maximum value of 7° was defined for detecting all areas with lower inclinations
by raster calculation. Furthermore, the input of the elevation as an influencing factor was considered by selecting
a predefined altitudinal zone between 1000 and 1500 m a.s.l.. The corresponding areas were selected and
extracted by a raster calculation. In addition to the discussed topographic variables, we incorporated the
geographical input of our GIS database into the following proceedings. A primary selection of the digitally
documented sediment areas according to size was conducted, defining a minimum value of 10.000 m² as a
hypothetical minimum limit for agricultural profitability (Siart 2006). Concerning the proximity of Minoan
settlements to springs, tectonic faults and overthrusts were extracted from the digital geological map in the GIS.
Similar to the processing of potential transit roads a buffer of 300 m was calculated around these structures,
representing a plausible zone around the geological elements suitable for human colonisation. After preparing all
determinants, the final analysis of spatial relationships and correlations between the influencing variables was
carried out by calculating a layer intersection of spatial attributes.