Mathematical Modelling

Clive Orton

Institute of Archaeology, University College London, 31-34 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PY, UK. c.orton@ucl.ac.uk

Summary

Table of Contents | This article is Open Access

The field of mathematical modelling is long established in archaeology, and since the 1970s has been frequently associated with computing through the development of increasingly complex methodologies ranging from large-scale simulations to Bayesian statistics. This article looks at the background and use of these models, and asks why there has been an apparent downturn in their use. A distrinction between 'tactical' and 'strategic' models is drawn, and number of areas of future development identified.

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Features

This article will appeal to: students with data-based projects, archaeologists planning or undertaking programmes of data analysis, anyone interested in the development of archaeology as a discipline
Key Features: explains the nature and role of mathematical models in archaeology, gives examples of how mathematical models can aid thinking about archaeological problems, and demonstrates some potential benefits, gives guidance for the formal use of mathematical models in archaeology, presents an historical account of the use of mathematical models in archaeology.
Keywords: models; mathematics; simulation; deterministic, stochastic and Bayesian models