The evolution of territorial occupation: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis Uncertainty and heterogeneity of data in Archaeology

Lucile Pillot (1) , Laure Saligny (2)

1 ARTeHiS - Archéologie, Terre, Histoire, Sociétés [Dijon]
2 MSH Dijon (MSHD) - Maison des Sciences de l'Homme de Dijon

The analysis of territorial changes over time raises many methodological questions. Despite a very frequent use of spatial analysis methods, few works underline their methodological shortcomings. This paper considers a comparison and discussion of exploratory statistical methods (notably Ripley's K function and its derivatives). It is worth noting three parameters in archaeological spatial analysis: scale, quality and quantity of input data. Archaeological data are intrinsically heterogeneous. Therefore, our approach proposes a multiscalar process integrating heterogeneous data. We describe a range of methods for the description and analysis of heterogeneous spatial point patterns in archaeology. These methods are described through the spatial analysis of neolithic sites in the South-East of the Paris Basin (France). We conclude by discussing the problems of the logical link between spatial pattern recognition and the archaeological process.

Mots clés: Settlement changes; ESDA; Point pattern; Ripley's K function

Domaines: Méthodes et statistiques

Lucile Pillot, Laure Saligny. The evolution of territorial occupation: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis Uncertainty and heterogeneity of data in Archaeology. Computer applications and quantitative methods in Archaeology 2012, Mar 2012, Southampton, Royaume-Uni. pp.457-469. ⟨halshs-00778065⟩