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Archaeological Objectives and Statistical Methods: A Frontier in Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Donald J. Tugby
Donald J. Tugby*
Affiliation:
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Abstract

Eighteen archaeological objectives are ordered within two general classes: Class A, placement of archaeological units—traits, types, and assemblages — within a space-time framework, and Class B, integration of the units in a cultural context. Four levels of interpretation of data are distinguished: identification, unidimensional distribution, bidimensional distribution, and processual analysis. Statistical methods appropriate to the different levels of interpretation, including cluster analysis, matrix analysis, and factor analysis, are discussed. It is suggested that the matrix method provides a statistical model of findings in archaeological field work. It is concluded that archaeological theory can be advanced by interpretation in terms of series rather than in terms of classes.

Type
Research Article
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 31 , Issue 1 , July 1965 , pp. 1 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1965

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