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Problematizing Bayesian approaches to prehistoric chronologies

Pettitt, P.B.; Zilhao, J.

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Authors

J. Zilhao



Abstract

In recent years Bayesian exploration of radiocarbon datasets has been employed widely in prehistoric archaeology. Pertinent especially to major biogeographic and behavioural changes such as human dispersals and extinctions, the spread of agriculture and culture change, the method can offer a powerful means to improve considerably the precision of prehistorians’ investigation of some of the most major questions in human prehistory. As such its potential is profound – it has even been regarded as the third radiocarbon revolution – but its appropriateness is dependent on the assumptions that must be made of the samples selected for dating. How sound are these assumptions, and therefore how reliable are Bayesian analyses? Here, we introduce some aspects and assumptions that underline Bayesian modelling of radiocarbon measurements, and we problematize their application in Palaeolithic archaeology. We conclude that many existing models are faulty, and suggest some criteria for quality control in this field.

Citation

Pettitt, P., & Zilhao, J. (2015). Problematizing Bayesian approaches to prehistoric chronologies. World Archaeology, 47(4), 525-542. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2015.1070082

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Sep 2, 2015
Publication Date Sep 2, 2015
Deposit Date Jan 13, 2016
Publicly Available Date Aug 9, 2017
Journal World Archaeology
Print ISSN 0043-8243
Electronic ISSN 1470-1375
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 47
Issue 4
Pages 525-542
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2015.1070082

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