Chronological networks in archaeology: A formalised scheme

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 127; p. 105225
• Main Authors: Levy, Eythan, Geeraerts, Gilles, Pluquet, Frédéric, Piasetzky, Eli, Fantalkin, Alexander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Algorithms; Archaeological dating; Archaeology; Chronology; Computational archaeology; computer software; Formal methods; methodology; Quantitative methods; Archaeology; Algorithms; Archaeological dating; Quantitative methods; Chronology; Formal methods; Computational archaeology
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2020.105225

This paper proposes a new methodology for modelling chronological data in archaeology. We introduce the concept of “chronological network”, a flexible model for representing chronological entities, synchronisms between them, and other chronological constraints such as termini post/ante quem and duration bounds. We propose a procedure for checking the consistency of a chronological network and for refining dating estimates from the available synchronisms and constraints. We introduce ChronoLog, a chronology software application that allows users to build a chronological network interactively. The software automatically checks the consistency of the network and computes the tightest possible chronological range for each entity, within seconds. ChronoLog is freely available online at http://chrono.ulb.be. •We present a new conceptual model of chronological networks in archaeology.•We present a mathematical formalisation of chronological networks in archaeology.•We propose algorithms for solving chronological problems in archaeology.•We propose new software for modelling chronological networks.•We propose a case study related to the Egyptian 26th dynasty.