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Spatial and Multivariate Analysis, Random Sampling Error, and Analytical Noise: Empirical Bayesian Methods at Teotihuacan, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Ian G. Robertson
Ian G. Robertson*
Affiliation:
Dept. of Anthropology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-2402
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Abstract

Methods of empirical Bayesian statistical inference can help archaeologists deal with problems inherent in variably-sized and, particularly, small artifact samples. The desirability of systematically controlling random effects of sampling error when mapping estimates of artifact type proportions is emphasized in this paper, and concrete examples are provided using ceramic data from the Central Mexican city of Teotihuacan. A Bayesian approach also may be beneficial for pretreating data destined for other kinds of quantitative analysis, such as exploratory multivariate analysis. Correspondence analysis using observed proportions of different types of pottery in assemblages pertaining to the Xolalpan and Metepec phases produces vague results that suggest little in the way of interpretable structure. However, a parallel analysis using posterior estimates of proportions reveals meaningful associations of ceramic categories that appear to relate to more general dimensions of behavioral variability.

Résumé

Résumé

Algunos métodos de inferencia estadística Bayesiana pueden ayudara los arqueólogos a afrontar problemas inherentes en muestras tornados de coleclones de materlales arqueológicos, y que presentan un tamaño variable y especialmente pequeño. En este trabajo se enfatiza la importancia de controlar sistematicamente los efectos del error de muestreo al elaborar mapas de proporciones de tipos de artefactos, y se proveén ejemplos usando datos de la cerámica de Teotihuacán, una ciudad prehispánica del Centro de México. Un método Bayesiano puede tambien ser benéfico en la preparación de datos destinados para otros tipos de análisis cuantitativos. Un análisis de correspondencia aplicado a las proporciones observadas de diferentes tipos de cerámica de las fases Xolalpan y Metepec produce resultados vagos, y poco Interpretables. Un análisis paralelo aplicado a las estimaciones posteriores revela patrones que se pueden interpretar como asociaciónes de categorías cerámicas que parecen reflejar ciertos patrones de variabilidad en el comportamiento cotidlano.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 64 , Issue 1 , January 1999 , pp. 137 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1999

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