A model based on Bayesian confirmation and machine learning algorithms to aid archaeological interpretation by integrating incompatible data

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 31;16(3):e0248261. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248261. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The interpretation of archaeological features often requires a combined methodological approach in order to make the most of the material record, particularly from sites where this may be limited. In practice, this requires the consultation of different sources of information in order to cross validate findings and combat issues of ambiguity and equifinality. However, the application of a multiproxy approach often generates incompatible data, and might therefore still provide ambiguous results. This paper explores the potential of a simple digital framework to increase the explanatory power of multiproxy data by enabling the incorporation of incompatible, ambiguous datasets in a single model. In order to achieve this, Bayesian confirmation was used in combination with decision trees. The results of phytolith and geochemical analyses carried out on soil samples from ephemeral sites in Jordan are used here as a case study. The combination of the two datasets as part of a single model enabled us to refine the initial interpretation of the use of space at the archaeological sites by providing an alternative identification for certain activity areas. The potential applications of this model are much broader, as it can also help researchers in other domains reach an integrated interpretation of analysis results by combining different datasets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Archaeology* / methods
  • Bayes Theorem*
  • Geology
  • Machine Learning*
  • Plants / chemistry
  • Soil / chemistry

Substances

  • Soil

Grants and funding

This research was supported by an AHRC/Bournemouth University (BU - https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/) PhD studentship and by an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC - https://ahrc.ukri.org/) grant number AH/K002902/1 awarded to ELJ. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.