Using Fuzzy Logic to Analyze the Spatial Distribution of Pottery in Unstratified Archaeological Sites: The Case of the Pobedim Hillfort (Slovakia)

Anna Tirpáková,Jana Vojteková,Matej Vojtek,Ivona Vlkolinská

doi:10.3390/land10020103

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the spatial clustering of pottery finds based on their occurrence at different depths in the Pobedim hillfort archaeological site (Western Slovakia), without reference to stratigraphic data. Two fuzzy sets methods (fuzzy linear function and fuzzy gamma operator) were used to analyze the distribution of Slavic pottery from the 9th century AD at six sectors (I–VI) located at the acropolis of the Pobedim hillfort in terms of their occurrence at different depths, their quantity at different depths, and the number of excavation pits. Using the mentioned fuzzy set methods, significant clusters of pottery were found in two sectors of the Pobedim site (sectors I and II). The results were compared with those obtained in previous research at this site, where the method of spatial autocorrelation was used. It was found that the most significant squares identified with the use of fuzzy set theory coincide with 14 squares where autocorrelation also found significant concentrations of pottery. However, the most significant squares identified by fuzzy methods (in the range 0.7–1) in all sectors of the Pobedim hillfort were 16% less than those identified by the positive spatial autocorrelation.

Highlights

The acropolis of the Pobedim hillfort from the 9th century AD is a well-known archeological site in Slovakia
The significant squares, which were identified by the fuzzy set method in the range from 0.7 to 1 and were located outside the squares in which the existence of positive spatial autocorrelation of pottery occurrence was not confirmed, were located in sectors I, II, V, and IV
Based on the results obtained by analyzing the distribution of Slavic pottery from the acropolis of the Pobedim hillfort, it can be stated that using the fuzzy sets method with respect to the occurrence of finds at depths, the number of pottery at individual depths and the number of excavation pits, the most significant clusters were identified in sectors I, II, and IV

Summary

Introduction

The acropolis of the Pobedim hillfort from the 9th century AD is a well-known archeological site in Slovakia. The most significant discovery was a Slavic fortification from the period of the Pribina principality (approximately 833–1110 AD). The oldest settlement of the Pobedim area comes from the Late Stone Age (until 8300 BC), when the first peasants settled there. Evidence of their settlement is represented by potsherds and fragments of stone tools. Other finds were discovered, confirming the existence of settlement from the Early Bronze Age (1250–1000 BC). The most important settlement phase is from the Late Bronze

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