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The Absolute Speed of Change: Multidimensional Scaling and Innovation Rates
Author(s) -
Hinz M.,
Müller J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/arcm.12111
Subject(s) - proxy (statistics) , multidimensional scaling , scaling , metric (unit) , econometrics , linear regression , similarity (geometry) , linear relationship , linear scale , statistics , economic geography , computer science , mathematics , physical geography , geography , artificial intelligence , geodesy , economics , geometry , operations management , image (mathematics)
The evaluation of societal developments depends on a clear determination of the rate of change that occurs within societies. While many statistical approaches are able to indicate similarity/dissimilarity distances between archaeological assemblages, only a few can be linked to linear timescales. In the following approach, the advantages of non‐metric multidimensional scaling ( NMDS ) are described as a method that produces gradients for a quantitative measurement of cultural change on a linear timescale. Thus, the speed of innovations or the regression of cultural developments could be quantified. In consequence, a quantified proxy of societal developments on a linear timescale is provided. In two examples, the usefulness of such a proxy is described in relation to other data.