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Quantitative Analysis of Shells from a Site in Goleta, California

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Roberta S. Greenwood
Roberta S. Greenwood*
Affiliation:
725 Jacon Way, Pacific Palisades, Calif.
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Abstract

This shell study was designed to test and perfect methods of quantitative analysis in addition to providing the usual identification of species. Experiments were performed to determine the optimum size of sample, dimension of screen, number of samples, and the practicability of rapid analysis in the field to guide the progress of excavation. Analysis of variance was used to measure up to five variables at once; differences were shown graphically with direction of change indicated by a least-squares regression line. The analysis of 69 excavation units revealed an overwhelming preference for mud-dwelling species which showed no change in horizontal distribu-give guidance to the excavation team. Used with dry-weight analysis, field sorting would also indicate areas of richer occupation debris in time for this information to be useful. The use of applied mathematics in midden analysis adds a precise tool to the archaeological inventory. The data compiled on screen size, sample size, horizontal and vertical distributions, and such, were subjected to the analysis of variance, and where significant difference was indicated, the statistics were fitted to a regression line by the least-squares method. By using standardized systems and quantitative analysis, the archaeologist may obtain convincing evidence to support his conclusions. These procedures would be equally applicable to the study of skeletal, artifactual, or other ecological remains, and would add authority to the theories derived from such analysis.

Type
Facts and Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 26 , Issue 3Part1 , January 1961 , pp. 416 - 420
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1961

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