Tools for Constructing Chronologies : Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries

In summary, Bayesian methods are already seen by many as an essential tool to aid in formal chronology building in archaeology. At present, most researchers use packages like OxGal and BGal to make use of such tools and typically see them as radiocarbon calibration tools (indeed both are described as such on their own WWW welcome pages). On reflection, however, I think that it is clear that these packages offer more than just calibration, they are modest Bayesian chronological data interpretation environments. Given this observation, and the fact that the current tools are built on a sound foundation offlexible and scalable theory,I think that we are in a good position to move towards fully integrated tools for Bayesian chronology building. All of the current and planned research projects outlined above will contribute to the extension of the framework in one way or another. Since such work is motivated by a desire to provide practical solutions to real, current and pressing issues associated with chronology building, I feel sure that we can look forward to many more years of fast moving, productive and practical research in Bayesian chronology building. References Ammerman, A. J. and Cavalli-Sforza, 1. L. (1971). Measurement of the rate of spread of early farming in Europe. Man , 6, 674-688. Ammerman, A. J. and Cavalli-Sforza, 1. L. (1984). The Neolithic transition and the genetics of populations in Europe. Princeton University Press, Princeton. Anderson, A. , Allingham, B. and Smith, I. (1996a).

From the reviews:

"Here's a good book on 'dating' that, luckily, won't find its way to the self-help section of your local bookstore!" Journal of the American Statistical Association, December 2005

"The main focus of the volume is a better analysis of chronological data ... . The editors have done a good job ... . I recommend reading the preface first to get the full benefit out of this volume. This volume is aimed towards applied statisticians, archaeologists, and geologists, among others. By reading this volume, one gets the feeling that statistics is a wonderful subject and is useful in many walks of life!" (Technometrics, Vol. 49 (2), 2007)

"This book provides techniques of extracting more information out of existing data. ... is structured in a very interesting way. ... many different scientific disciplines are covered throughout the book, providing real-life, and current examples with their associated problems. ... the structure of this book allows statisticians to become familiar with this field ... . one of the book’s greatest strengths is how it allows the reader to become completely involved in the construction of chronologies, thus promoting further thought and development in this area." (Alex Brink, SASA News, September, 2005)

"Taking my cue from the title of this book, the tools in question are statistical tools, principally Bayesian ones ... . They present a useful overview in their preface and have made cross-links from one chapter to another. ... What the book offers is a strong message that good statistical modeling is of huge assistance in building reliable chronologies and understanding their limitations, as well as calling for greater cross-fertilization between (sub)disciplines in respect of the statistical advances and tools ... ." (M. C. Jones, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Vol. 168 (1), 2005)