Network Science in Archaeology

This is the first comprehensive guide to the archaeological uses of network science.

Tom Brughmans (Author), Matthew A. Peeples (Author)

9781009170642, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 April 2023

350 pages
25.4 x 17.7 x 1.8 cm, 0.68 kg

The Cambridge Manual to Archaeological Network Science provides the first comprehensive guide to a field of research that has firmly established itself within archaeological practice in recent years. Network science methods are commonly used to explore big archaeological datasets and are essential for the formal study of past relational phenomena: social networks, transport systems, communication, and exchange. The volume offers a step-by-step description of network science methods and explores its theoretical foundations and applications in archaeological research, which are elaborately illustrated with archaeological examples. It also covers a vast range of network science techniques that can enhance archaeological research, including network data collection and management, exploratory network analysis, sampling issues and sensitivity analysis, spatial networks, and network visualisation. An essential reference handbook for both beginning and experienced archaeological network researchers, the volume includes boxes with definitions, boxed examples, exercises, and online supplementary learning and teaching materials.

1. Introducing network science for archaeology
2. Putting network science to work in archaeological research
3. Network data
4. Exploratory network analysis
5. Quantifying uncertainty in archaeological networks
6. Network visualisation
7. Spatial networks and networks in space
8. Uniting theory and method for archaeological network research
Appendix A: Answers for exercises
Appendix B: Software
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Archaeological science, methodology & techniques [HDW]