Journal Article

Contextual Incongruities, Statistical Outliers, and Anomalies: Targeting Inconspicuous Occupational Events

Seymour, Deni J.

2010

Overview

New methodologies are needed to address multiple componentcy and short reuse episodes that are characteristic of mobile group residential and logistical strategies. Chronometric results are often misinterpreted when evaluated within a framework suited to long-term sedentary occupations. The standard practices of age-averaging, eliminating apparent \"anomalous\" results, and relying on high profile diagnostic tools and vessels and the most visible features—along with the expectation for \"contextual congruence\"—mask multi-componentcy and episodic reuse. High incidences of site reuse have been detected by considering alternate site development models and looking specifically for evidence of distinct shorter term occupations.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press,Society for American Archaeology
• Subject: Analysis / Archaeological methods / Archaeological paradigms / Archaeological sites / Archaeology / Cultural groups / Economy and society / Ethnohistory / Ethnology and art / Excavation and methods / Historic sites / Historical archaeology / Interpretation, statistical and computer analysis / Laboratory methods / Luminescence / Material culture / Methodology and general studies / Methods / Migration / Occupations / Pottery / Prehistoric pottery / Prehistory and protohistory / Radiocarbon dating / Research methodology / Statistical analysis