Open AccessAre We Creating Our Past?
Author(s) -
Chiara G. M. Girotto
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
documenta praehistorica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1854-2492
pISSN - 1408-967X
DOI - 10.4312/dp.47.29
Subject(s) - centrality , consolidation (business) , human settlement , dominance (genetics) , geography , taphonomy , parametric statistics , explanatory power , archaeology , history , economic geography , epistemology , statistics , mathematics , philosophy , accounting , business , gene , chemistry , biochemistry
Urnfield Culture hilltop settlements are often associated with a predominant function in the settlement pattern. This study challenged the idea of centrality by means of density estimates and spatial inhomogeneous explanatory statistics. Reflecting on the differences in spatial trends and material culture, no conclusive evidence for a consolidation of power, economic, or cultic dominance was observed. The dataset strongly points towards the inapplicability of commonly used parametric and/or homogenous spatial algorithms in archaeology. Tracer variables as well as the methodological and theoretical limitations are critically reviewed and a methodological framework to increase the reproducibility and reusability of archaeological research is proposed.