Settlement patterns in the late Mesolithic of western Scotland: the implications of Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates and inter-site technological comparisons

The Epigravettian and the Magdalenian in Poland: New chronological data and an old problem

“…The main advantage of this approach is, first of all, that it provides measurable reliability coefficients (Bronk Ramsey, 2009a) of the results and enables the researchers to receive greater statistical inference (Bronk Ramsey, 1995, 1998. It allows us to create a more realistic chronological framework for the analysed phenomena, and sometimes it is possible to obtain more precise dating of these phenomena (see Higham, 2011;Higham et al, 2012;Riede and Edinborough, 2012;Wicks et al, 2014). Analyses were carried out using the OxCal software version 4.2 (Bronk Ramsey, 2009a), and radiocarbon dates were calibrated according to the IntCal13-Northern Hemisphere curve for terrestrial samples (Reimer et al, 2013).…”

On being agoodBayesian

“…Since Bayesian methods currently feature so prominently in the archaeological literature, particularly that relating to the chronology and prehistory of Europe (e.g. Buck et al, 1992;Bayliss et al, 2007a;Manning, 2007;Whittle and Bayliss, 2007;Finkelstein and Piasetzky, 2010;Whittle et al, 2011;Smyth, 2013;Wicks et al, 2014), and since so few of these authors discuss why they have taken a Bayesian approach or, indeed, why they themselves take a Bayesian standpoint on the philosophy of science, now seems a good time to pause and reflect.…”

Calling Time on Oronsay: Revising Settlement Models Around the Mesolithic–Neolithic Transition in Western Scotland, New Evidence from Port Lobh, Colonsay

“…While the lithic finds are likely an earlier separate event, this date points to a discrete fire using hazelnut shell fuel during this period. Comparable radiocarbon dates from the recent excavations at Storakaig, Islay also offers evidence for the exploitation of terrestrial resources that countenance the predominately maritime subsistence focus associated with this period (Mithen & Wicks 2010;Wicks et al 2014). Bayesian re-evaluation of the midden chronologies also significantly challenges the likelihood of year round settlement on Oronsay (Wicks et al 2014, table 5) and the new Port Lobh dates chronologically overlap with those now modelled for the duration of accumulation of the Oronsay sites.…”

“…In this respect the site is most similar to the Priory Middenthe only Oronsay midden site identified on the Atlantic west coast (Mellars 1987, 182-91). It too produced seasonality indicators for fishing late in the year, although caveats apply here with regards to seasonality indicators and the use of otolith length measurements (Mellars & Wilkinson 1980) and the chronological overlap of the Oronsay middens (Wicks et al 2014). Traditionally this period is seen as one of low resource availability but we have little current understanding of how communities provisioned for the winter months when certain sea resources were abundant.…”

“…Stable isotope analysis of human remains from Cnoc Coig of individuals with extreme marine and others with mixed terrestrial dietary signatures have contributed another dimension to this debate and been used to support both models without clear resolution (Richard & Mellars 1998;Milner & Craig 2009;Charlton et al 2016). Recent Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates from the Oronsay sites and new fieldwork at Storakaig, Islay (a lithic scatter site with terrestrial fauna) has produced evidence of contemporaneous regional occupation that overlaps with the earliest Neolithic in the region (Wicks et al 2014;contra Mithen 2000a). Yet clear understandings of the role of Oronsay in inter-island settlement and subsistence models at this critical period still appear beyond grasp.…”