| Title: |
A note on the use of temporal frequency distributions in studies of prehistoric demography
|
| Issue: |
J Archaeol Sci 34 (11) |
| Series: |
Journal of Archaeological Science
|
| Volume: |
34
(11)
|
| Page Start/End: |
1868 - 1877 |
| Biblio Note |
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|
| Publication Type: |
Journal
|
| Abstract: |
Temporal frequency distributions of archaeological sites and radiocarbon dates are commonly used as proxies for prehistoric population levels based on the assumption that more people create a stronger archaeological signal. The authors, while acknowledging that this assumption is certainly correct, question whether relative frequencies of sites or dates observed from prehistoric contexts are necessarily linked to human demography. They demonstrate that the typical positive curvilinear frequency distributions observed in archaeological contexts also regularly occur in paleontological and geological contexts and are thus likely caused by the operation of time-dependent destructive processes, known as `taphonomic bias'. Using a simple model, which assumes a constant rate of site loss over time, they show how taphonomic bias can produce positive curvilinear frequency distributions through time even in cases of population stasis, decline, and fluctuation. They conclude that caution must be used when attempting to infer demographic trends from frequency distributions alone. |
| Year of Publication: |
2007
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
| Radiocarbon Dates (Auto Detected Subject) |
| Prehistoric (Auto Detected Temporal) |
|
| Source: |
BIAB
(The British & Irish Archaeological Bibliography (BIAB))
|
| Relations: |
|
| Created Date: |
05 Dec 2007 |
