From dates to demography in later prehistoric Ireland? Experimental approaches to the meta-analysis of large 14C data-sets
Armit, Ian Swindles, Graeme T. Becker, Katharina
Armit, Ian
Swindles, Graeme T.
Becker, Katharina
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2013
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2012-08-27
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Abstract
We present a series of iterative methods to examine the problems associated with summed probability functions (SPFs) based on archaeological radiocarbon data. As a case study we use an SPF generated from a substantial radiocarbon data-set from the Irish Later Bronze and Iron Ages. We use simple numerical methods to show that real patterns can be deciphered from SPFs that can be used to trace and evaluate patterns of change. However, our results suggest that SPFs should not be used as a simple index of past human activity.
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Armit I, Swindles GT and Becker K (2013) From dates to demography in later prehistoric Ireland? Experimental approaches to the meta-analysis of large 14C data-sets. Journal of Archaeological Science. 40(1): 433-438.
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