Quantifying Diversity in Archaeology

Quantifying Diversity in Archaeology aims to examine what we mean by diversity.

Robert D. Leonard (Edited by), George T. Jones (Edited by)

9780521108508, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 April 2009

172 pages
27.9 x 21 x 0.9 cm, 0.4 kg

One of the enduring aims of archaeological research has been to explain why human material culture is so diverse, both across the world and through history. Recognising that diversity exists is not, however, to explain it nor to measure it effectively. The aim of the contributors to Quantifying Diversity in Archaeology is therefore to examine what we mean by diversity, to review the methods of measurement and formulae we an apply and assess the pitfalls that exist. Richness and evenness, the two main components of diversity measures developed in the biological sciences are considered, as are the value of diversity measures in the study of style, ecology, cultural geography and faunal, lithic and spatial analysis. Subsequent papers consider critically why the archaeological remains of particular cultures vary so markedly between sites, localities and regions.

Preface
Part I. The diversity concept: 1. The concept of diversity: an introduction George T. Jones and Robert D. Leonard
2. The theory and mechanics of ecological diversity in archaeology Peter T. Bobrowsky and Bruce F. Ball
3. Diversity, variation and selection David Rindos
Part II. Components of diversity: richness, evenness and factors influencing their assessment: 4. Sample size, significance and measures of diversity Keith W. Kintigh
5. Formation processes of Broken K Pueblo: some hypotheses Michael B. Schiffer
6. Structure and diversity in intrasite spatial analysis Jan F. Simek
7. Measures of diversity and expedient lithic technologies George T. Jones, Charlotte Beck and Donald K. Grayson
8. Sample size and relative abundance in archaeological analysis: illustrations from spiral fractures and seriation Donald K. Grayson
Part III. Assessments of archaeological diversity: 9. Diversity in hunter-gatherer cultural geography David Hurst Thomas
10. The effect of urbanisation on faunal diversity: a comparison between New York City and St Augustine, Florida, in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries Nan A. Rothschild
11. Changing strategies of Anasazi lithic procurement on Black Mesa, Arizona Robert D. Leonard, F. E. Smiley and Catherine M. Cameron
12. Ceramic diversity, production and use Prudence M. Rice
13. The use of diversity in stylistic analysis Margaret W. Conkey
Part IV. Commentary: 14. The concept of diversity in archaeological theory George L. Cowgill
15. Diversity in archaeology: a group of measures in search of application? Robert C. Dunnell
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Archaeology [HD]