## 4 Conclusions  
1. This study systematically compiled site data across the entire region of Sichuan Province and employed GIS spatial analysis methods to explore the distribution characteristics of sites and their relationship with natural geographical factors from the geographical spatial perspective. By addressing the comprehensiveness of the data and utilizing multi-dimensional GIS analytical approaches, we expanded the findings presented in other studies within this field. The research findings analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of site distributions in Sichuan Province from perspectives such as clustering features and water adjacency. Furthermore, we investigated the reasons influencing the distribution of remains based on factors including altitude, slope, and distance from water sources. 2. The kernel density values of site distribution in Sichuan Province from the Stone Age to the Warring States period initially increased and then decreased, indicating a clustering phenomenon in site distribution, with the highest density occurring during the Shang to Spring and Autumn periods. This reflects a trend from dispersion to concentration. The Chengdu Plain remained the most central area of site aggregation throughout this period. From the Warring States period, a new high-density site cluster emerged in southern Sichuan, centered around the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. During the Stone Age, sites were widely distributed across the province. However, by the Shang to Spring and Autumn periods, the Chengdu Plain became the cultural center, and the number of sites in Chengdu increased significantly. The flat terrain and fertile soil of the Chengdu Plain, combined with advancements in irrigation technology, led to a substantial increase in agricultural output. This attracted large populations to settle in the area, resulting in a higher number of sites and a more concentrated distribution. During the Warring States period, the distribution pattern of sites in Sichuan Province underwent another adjustment. The number of sites in Chengdu decreased, while the number of sites in Liangshan Prefecture surged, forming a new high-density site cluster. 3. The study considered the influence of elevation, distance to water, and slope on site distribution. The results indicated that from the Stone Age to the Warring States period, the elevation of site distribution in the study area first decreased and then increased. During the Shang to Spring and Autumn periods, the average elevation of sites was 1866.5 m, which dropped to 977.8 m during the Shang to Spring and Autumn periods. During the Shang to Spring and Autumn periods, sites were primarily concentrated in the low-elevation areas of the Chengdu Plain, a distribution pattern likely closely related to environmental changes in the region. The Chengdu Plain during this period had a suitable climate and abundant water resources, making low-elevation areas more conducive to agricultural production and daily life, which explains the high concentration of sites there. Additionally, due to limitations in farming techniques and flood control technology, human settlements exhibited a significant preference for proximity to water. Approximately 50% of sites during the Stone Age and Warring States periods were located within 1 km of water sources, while this proportion rose to 70% during the Shang to Spring and Autumn periods. This may be because, during the Stone Age, the threat of river flooding was greater, leading people to settle farther from water. By the Warring States period, climate fluctuations caused alternating droughts and floods, forcing people to balance the convenience of accessing water with the need to reduce flood risks when choosing settlement locations. Furthermore, sites in the study area were mainly distributed in areas with slopes below 15\({}^{\circ}\).