Barcode seriation and concepts of Gauge Theory. The 14C-Chronology of Starčevo, LBK, and early Vinča

Abstract

A new method for automated construction of 14C-based archaeological chronologies, called Barcode Seriation (BS), is introduced. The application of BS is demonstrated for medium-sized (N~50 sites) datasets of the early Neolithic cultures Starčevo/Körös/Criş, LBK-I, and Vinča A. The BS-method is easy to apply, but nevertheless allows construction of 14C-chronologies at comparatively high dating precision. The key to BS is a new timing discriminator (TD), designed for leading/trailing edge shape-analysis of summed probability distributions of 14C-ages (SPDs). In functional terms, the TD works as an Analog-to-Digital Converter. The SPD signal digitisation, in turn, supports large-scale 14C-database analysis on different levels of data confinement (e.g. by sites, periods, periods, cultures, phases) as well as on large geographic scales (regional-continental). Due to the compactness of the chosen graphic-output topology, the combined BS/TD-technology supports ordination and plotting of very large 14C-datasets, but leaving room in graphic representation for the chronology to be shown in context with other records e.g. from palaeoenvironmental, archaeobiological, and palaeaoclimatological studies. The feasibility of routine application of the new method is demonstrated by case-comparisons at high dating-resolution for the sites of Pityerdomb (Hungary), Vráble (Slowakia), Versend-Gilencsa (Hungary), Vinča-Belo-Brdo (Serbia), and at two LBK-sites (‘Lüsse’ and ‘Unteres Feld’) both located in the Ammer Valley near Tübingen (Germany). The new methodology is complemented with studies towards the application of Gauge Theory in support of archaeological 14C-analysis.