Title: The archaeologist's laboratory : the analysis of archaeological evidence /
Authors: Banning, E. B. 1955-
Year: 2020
Subjects: Archaeology Methodology; Archaeology Laboratory manuals.; Archaeology; Archaeology Methodology
Abstract: This second edition of the classic textbook, The Archaeologists Laboratory, is a substantially revised work that offers updated information on the archaeological work that follows fieldwork, such as the processing and analysis of artifacts and other evidence. An overarching theme of this edition is the quality and validity of archaeological arguments and the data we use to support them. The book introduces many of the laboratory activities that archaeologists carry out and the ways we can present research results, including graphs and artifact illustrations. Part I introduces general topics concerning measurement error, data quality, research design, typology, probability and databases. It also includes data presentation, basic artifact conservation, and laboratory safety. Part II offers brief surveys of the analysis of lithics and ground stone, pottery, metal artifacts, bone and shell artifacts, animal and plant remains, and sediments, as well as dating by stratigraphy, seriation and chronometric methods. It concludes with a chapter on archaeological illustration and publication. A new feature of the book is illustration of concepts through case studies from around the world and from the Palaeolithic to historical archaeology.The text is appropriate for senior undergraduate students and will also serve as a useful reference for graduate students and professional archaeologists.
Contents: What are data? Measurements and errors -- Summarizing data: descriptive statistics -- Systematics: classification and grouping -- Compilations: designing and using archaeological databases -- Visualizing archaeological data -- Research design and sampling -- Counting things: abundance and other quantitative measures -- Probability, modelling, and statistical inference -- Basic artifact conservation and lab management -- Laboratory health and safety -- Stone artifacts -- Ceramic artifacts -- Metal artifacts -- Bone and shell tools -- Archaeological animal remains -- Archaeological plant remains -- Soils, sediments, and geoarchaeology -- Seriation -- Stratigraphy -- Chronometric dating -- Archaeological illustration and publication.