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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2016

Anthony M Krus*
Affiliation:
SUERC, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, Rankine Avenue East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, United Kingdom
Robert Cook
Affiliation:
Ohio State University, Department of Anthropology, Newark Campus, 1179 University Drive, Newark, OH 43055-1797
Derek Hamilton
Affiliation:
SUERC, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, Rankine Avenue East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, United Kingdom
*
2.Corresponding author. Email: [email protected].

Abstract

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 14C 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 14C 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.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

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