Bayesian Chronological Modeling of SunWatch, a Fort Ancient Village in Dayton, Ohio

Bibliographic Data

ID9242545
AuthorsAnthony M Krus (0000-0003-1970-4473), Robert Cook (0000-0002-0539-3224), Derek Hamilton (0000-0003-4019-3823)
Year2015
Volume57
Issue5
Pages965-977
Publication date2015-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueRadiocarbon (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-8222 • E-ISSN: 1945-5755
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2458/azu_rc.57.18179
OpenAlexW2118820593
LanguageEN
Citations received20
References cited34

Radiocarbon results from houses, pits, and burials at the SunWatch site, Dayton, Ohio, are presented within an interpretative Bayesian statistical framework. The primary model incorporates dates from archaeological features in an unordered phase and uses charcoal outlier modeling (Bronk Ramsey 2009b) to account for issues of wood charcoal 14 C dates predating their context. The results of the primary model estimate occupation lasted for 1–245 yr ( 95% probability ), starting in cal AD 1175–1385 ( 95% probability ) and ending in cal AD 1330–1470 ( 95% probability ). An alternative model was created by placing the 14 C dates into two unordered phases corresponding with horizontal stratigraphic relationships or distinct groups of artifacts thought to be temporally diagnostic. The results of the alternative model further suggest that there is some temporal separation between Group 1 and Group 2, which seems more likely in the event of a multicomponent occupation. Overall, the modeling results provide chronology estimates for SunWatch that are more accurate and precise than that provided in earlier studies. While it is difficult to determine with certainty if SunWatch had a single-component or multicomponent occupation, it is clear that SunWatch's occupation lasted until the second half of the AD 1300s

Archaeology · Bayesian probability · Charcoal · Chronology · Geography · Radiocarbon dating · Statistics · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Chemistry · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · History · Mathematics · Geology