Sampling in Archaeology

by Clive Orton

Overview

The first overview of sampling for archaeologists for over twenty years, this manual offers a comprehensive account of the application of statistical sampling theory that is essential to modern archaeological practice, at a range of scales, from the regional to the microscopic. It includes a discussion of the relevance of sampling theory to archaeological interpretation, and considers its fundamental place in fieldwork and post excavation study. It demonstrates the vast range of techniques that are available, only some of which are widely used by archaeologists. A section on statistical theory also reviews the latest developments in the field, and the presentation is clear and user friendly. The formal mathematics is available in an appendix, which is cross-referenced with the main text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521562263
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/11/2000
Series:	Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

1. 'All the world's a sample'; 2. 'A little of what you fancy?'; 3. 'If this is the sample, what was the population?'; 4. 'Covering the ground'; 5. 'What's in a site?'; 6. 'The answer lies in the soil'; 7. 'But many sanguine people hope, to see them through a microscope'; 8. 'In its depth, what treasures?'; 9. 'Beyond random sampling'; Appendix.

Editorial Reviews

Offers an account of applications of statistical sampling theory which are essential to modern archaeological practice at a range of scales, from the regional to the microscopic. Discusses the relevance of sampling theory to archaeological interpretation, and considers its place in fieldwork and post-excavation study. Demonstrates the range of techniques available, and reviews new developments in statistical theory. Formal mathematics is available in a cross-referenced appendix. Orton is reader in quantitative archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"...probably one of the best books written on sampling and sampling statistics...I would recommend it most highly, as it provides one of the most succinct assessments of sampling in archaeology to date." Canadian Journal of Archaeology

"This book provides good advice on designing and planning archaelogical studies and contains an extensive up-to-date bibliography." Journal of Anthropological Research

From the Publisher