Neolithic Arrowheads of the Levant : Results and Implications of a Seriation Analysis - article ; n°1 ; vol.15, pg 43-56

Gopher A.

Description

Paléorient - Année 1989 - Volume 15 - Numéro 1 - Pages 43-56
A multi-dimensional seriation analysis of arrowhead assemblages from Neolithic sites in the Levant is presented. An attempt is made to correlate the relative dating obtained by seriation with stratigraphie evidence and available C-14 dates. The implications of the analysis for the study of diffusion processes and sub-regional contacts is also discussed.
Une analyse multidimensionnelle des assemblages de pointes de flèches de sites Néolithiques du Levant est présentée. Une tentative de corrélation des datations relatives obtenues par la stratigraphie et des datations С14 disponibles est faite. Les implications de l'analyse pour l'étude des processus de diffusion et les contacts sub-régionaux sont aussi discutées.
14 pages
Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.

Informations

• Publié par: PALEORIENT
• Publié le: 01 janvier 1989
• Nombre de lectures: 37
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Avi Gopher
Neolithic Arrowheads of the Levant : Results and Implications of
a Seriation Analysis
In: Paléorient. 1989, Vol. 15 N°1. pp. 43-56.
Abstract
A multi-dimensional seriation analysis of arrowhead assemblages from Neolithic sites in the Levant is presented. An attempt is
made to correlate the relative dating obtained by seriation with stratigraphie evidence and available C-14 dates. The implications
of the analysis for the study of diffusion processes and sub-regional contacts is also discussed.
Résumé
Une analyse multidimensionnelle des assemblages de pointes de flèches de sites Néolithiques du Levant est présentée. Une
tentative de corrélation des datations relatives obtenues par la stratigraphie et des datations С14 disponibles est faite. Les
implications de l'analyse pour l'étude des processus de diffusion et les contacts sub-régionaux sont aussi discutées.
Citer ce document / Cite this document :
Gopher Avi. Neolithic Arrowheads of the Levant : Results and Implications of a Seriation Analysis. In: Paléorient. 1989, Vol. 15
N°1. pp. 43-56.
doi : 10.3406/paleo.1989.4484
http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/paleo_0153-9345_1989_num_15_1_4484:
vol 15/1 - 1989 PALÉORIENT,
NEOLITHIC ARROWHEADS OF THE LEVANT :
RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS OF A SERIATION
ANALYSIS
A. GOPHER
ABSTRACT. - A multi-dimensional seriation analysis of arrowhead assemblages from Neolithic sites in the Levant is presented.
An attempt is made to correlate the relative dating obtained by seriation with stratigraphie evidence and available C-14 dates.
The implications of the analysis for the study of diffusion processes and sub-regional contacts is also discussed.
RESUME. - Une analyse multidimensionnelle des assemblages de pointes de flèches de sites Néolithiques du Levant est présentée.
Une tentative de corrélation des datations relatives obtenues par la stratigraphie et des datations С 14 disponibles est faite. Les
implications de l'analyse pour l'étude des processus de diffusion et les contacts sub-régionaux sont aussi discutées.
INTRODUCTION tion of the general chronology against known str
atigraphie data and the С 14 record.
As the region is geographically large and di
Recent analyses of radiocarbon dating have r verse, and given the levels of information flow and
evealed new problems in the use of this dating me transportation in prehistoric times, a retardation fac
thod. Dendrochronological calibration indicate that tor operated within the general diffusion/contact sys
during some periods in the Holocene radiocarbon tem. This factor can potentially help in calculating
dates tend to expand calendar dates, and in others, rates of diffusion and perhaps status of contacts.
to contract them. That is, calibrated С 14 dates over Such reconstructions, stemming from the analysa span of a particular period may either reduce or is of lithic assemblages, can provide insights into enlarge the apparent calendar years. the understanding of Neolithic communities in the
Given this background, and other known defi Levant, and suggest a model for interpreting other
ciencies of C14 dating (e.g., recovery techniques and aspects of culture.
post-depositional processes), it is apparent that for
some periods, even with dendro-chronological cal
ibrations, archaeologists may have to return to "old-
METHODOLOGY fashioned" relative dating techniques, such as
seriation. Using these methods in sophisticated ways
can allow the construction of a detailed relative chro A. Data - sources and classification nology which can then be compared to a radiometric
record more critically appraised.
The collection of data from lithic assemblages for the Traditional dating methods tax the availability of purposes of this work included the processing of data from suitable large bodies of reliable data. These methods some 100 assemblages from sites throughout the Levant.
need to be applied on elements sensitive to change, These were ordered in several levels of archaeological re
and quickly distributed over well defined geographic liability according to the type and character of the exca
regions. To these ends, flint arrowhead assemblages vation or collection of the assemblages.
were chosen for the analysis and the Mediterranean Level 1 - Assemblages from stratified sites : Despite
Levant as the geographic unit (as defined from the drawbacks, these assemblages are considered highly relia
Middle Euphrates in the North to Southern Israel and ble, to the degree that it was possible to adjust for intrusive
elements. Sinai in the South, including parts of Lebanon, Syria,
Jordan, and Israel). Level 2 - Single stratum sites These are generally
short-lived sites that do not contain remains of earlier or Results of a seriation analysis of Levantine Neol later periods which could disturb and mix the assemblages. ithic arrowhead assemblages indicate that the qual These are considered highly reliable. itative (typological) and quantitative (relative Level 3 — Systematic surface collections : These are frequency of types) changes in these assemblages are assemblages that have been collected using a surface grid chronology dependent. It is also argued that the pro with full control of the context and location of the artifacts
cesses of change in the assemblages are similarly collected. Most cases dealt with here are single stratum
patterned throughout the subregions of the Levant. sites. In some cases these contain more than one component
These processes are also important in the and it is difficult to separate intrusive elements.
43 Colloque Préhistoire Levant II Maison de l'Orient-Lyon
30 mai-4 juin 1988 Editions du CNRS, Paris, 1989 :
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4 - Grab samples : These are tool samples colLevel С Seriation
lected in an unsystematic manner. The principal problem
with these assemblages lies in bias by the collector and
Seriation is viewed as a descriptive analytic technique the consequent statistical unreliability of the sample. When
which allows the ordering of comparable units in one dthe assemblage comes from a surface site, the problems
imension so that the placement of each unit reflects its saffecting surface sites exist as well.
imilarity to other units. Level 5 - Varia and problematic assemblages These
Seriation has been used by archaeologists as early as are assemblages of uncertain contexts, insufficient sample Pétrie (4) who analyzed ceramic assemblages from Egyptsize, and other technical problems (collections dispersed, ian tombs. In the early stages the basic assumption for incomplete). Despite difficulties, some of these assem seriation was that each type analyzed has a specific life blages were examined and studied for this work, though span. This assumption was expanded and developed (5) not included in the seriation analysis. such that each type was assumed to have a specific life
span and a specific popularity curve during this span. Each
period can then be characterized not only by the types pre
sent, à la Pétrie, but also by their relative frequencies in
the assemblages. B. Arrowheads and arrowhead typology
The basic assumptions in organizing data in the mat
rices for seriation are : 1. Each tool type had a life span
during which it underwent a progressive increase in its reThe arrowhead was selected as the type for analysis lative quantity in the assemblage until reaching a peak, fofor several reasons : llowed by a progressive decrease in quantity until the final
disappearance of the tool, 2. Chronology is the only factor 1. There are arrowheads in nearly every Neolithic site,
operating and influencing the above described popularity usually in sufficient quantity for processing by quantitative
curve, 3. Each unit (assemblage) examined has a sufficient analysis.
and representative sample of tool types, and 4. The units 2. We can assume, as most researchers do, that the undergoing seriation analysis represent short time segments arrowhead is a tool with a clear function. Thus, it is pos and originate in a limited geographic area containing one sible to concentrate on features that are revealed in the mor cultural system. phology of the arrowhead and how it was prepared. A more sophisticated stage in seriation analysis deals Stylistic differences in the preparation of arrowheads can with multidimensional seriation methods (6). These technibe traced, thus enabling us to distinguish geographical and ques allow a wider chrono-geographic range to be analyzed social units (1). than would be possible using classic one-dimensional se
3. The arrowhead appears in a large variety of types riation precisely because the multi-dimensionality consi
differing from one another in form, size and workmanship ders more than a single factor and can therefore incorporate
and it is given to relatively rapid processes of change. several cultural trends into the analysis. This method is ba
These two features make it suitable for sedation analysis. sed on similarity input matrices and is not limited to uni-
modal popularity curves. The matrix is analyzed using a 4. The appearance of the arrowhead, as well as its di- similarity function that must be correctly chosen to fit the sapperance, are well anchored stratigraphically and are also mathematical analysis and, more importantly, the definition chronologically well defi