Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University / Located in Southwestern Arkadia (Greece) next to the Alpheios River, Palaiokastro (ancient Bouphagion) was first examined by Pierre Charnuex and Renee Ginouves of the French School at Athens in the mid-1950's. Their investigations recorded Classical fortification walls at Palaiokastro and a Mycenaean cemetery nearby. This thesis presents data acquired from an re-examination of the site of Palaiokastro and a survey of the surrounding landscape in the summer of 1992, in addition to a study of relevant historical documents. These archaeological and historical data are analysized to determine the socio-economic factors involved in the occupation of Palaiokastro in both the Mycenaean and Classical periods. In addition, studies on trade, transportation, and communication during both periods are employed to generate theoretical models of interaction between the site and its surrounding region. It is concluded that the Mycenaean and Classical occupation of Palaiokastro exploited the transportation route that existed along the Alpheios River, yet for different reasons. The Mycenaean settlement was established to protect an existing trade route vital to the Mycenaean exchange system. The Classical site was refortified as a frontier fortress of Megalopolis at a strategic location along the Alpheios River. The differences in settlement patterns were dictated by the socioeconomic context of each period. The kingdom of Pylos was a integrated society controlled by a hierarchical administration controlling regional interaction. Classical Arkadia was littered with self-sufficient communities trading as individual societies.