A new method for identifying sherd refits: A case study from the Neolithic of Northumbria, U.K. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blanco-González, Antonio; Chapman, John
• Is Part Of: Journal of field archaeology. Volume 39:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 248
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 930.105
• DOI: 10.1179/0093469014Z.00000000083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-4690

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Here we present a flexible, quantitative methodology for refitting handmade ceramics. Rather than analyzing the physical joins between sherds, we assess the likelihood that non-adjoining sherds of similar appearance are from the same vessel. The customary disregard of non-adjoining sherds in refitting experiments prompts us to address this issue. Using the Neolithic ceramic assemblage from Thirlings (Northumberland, U.K.) as a case study, we test several scoring systems for assessing the probability of two sherds pertaining to the same vessel. The utility of this approach is supported by the comparison of a set of percentage scores statistically verified using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. We conclude with a discussion of the contribution of the new method to post-excavation ceramic analyses, and its applicability to other assemblages.</p> </abstract>