ABSTRACT
The dearth of studies showing the spatial distribution and the relative density of Beaker sites in the Madrid region has encouraged us to produce an analysis based on the use of a geographic information system (GIS). One of the most important points of procedure when applying a GIS to spatial analysis is to use the most homogeneous and precise cartography that is available. The use of different scale maps does not present problems in computerized cartography, however, since this system allows the transfer of data to different scales, albeit at the risk of losing precision. Although all of the middle and lower river basins should in theory be very attractive places, if the authors examine the distribution map of Beaker settlements closely they can see that there is a clear preference for occupying particular points of the first river terrace.
