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Seriation of Anthropological Data: A Computer Program for Matrix‐Ordering
Author(s) -
Kuzara Richard S.,
Mead George R.,
Dixon Keith A.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.1966.68.6.02a00050
Subject(s) - seriation (archaeology) , column (typography) , computer science , similarity (geometry) , computer program , matrix (chemical analysis) , ideal (ethics) , order (exchange) , algorithm , theoretical computer science , arithmetic , data mining , artificial intelligence , mathematics , epistemology , programming language , history , archaeology , telecommunications , philosophy , materials science , composite material , frame (networking) , finance , economics , image (mathematics)
A new digital computer program has been developed for the seriation of anthropological data. The program facilitates and refines procedures in the application of certain matrix‐ordering approaches, such as the Brainerd‐Robinson technique. The new program has special advantages for obtaining the best ordering of a case that is inherent in the data, together with special provisions for experimentation. Some of the innovations consist of working with the whole matrix pattern from start to finish, more exhaustive row‐column comparisons, provision for specifying different ordering criteria, consistent utilization of a chosen criterion for matrix evaluation as well as for row‐column placement, and a means of lessening the effect of input‐order bias. The program is designed to produce a close approximation of an ideal model in order to place data collections as accurately as possible on a continuum of similarity for purposes such as chronological ordering and the expression of intercultural relationships.