Data processing methods of systematic artefact collections in multi-period sites : The example of the Érd-Százhalombatta loess plateau
Rebeka Gergácz · Archeometriai Műhely · 2025
The research of multi-period site complexes has several challenges, particularly in topographical investigations where contextual and stratigraphical information is lacking. In such cases, distinguishing the extent of settlements or cemeteries of different periods based on surface artefacts can be challenging. When I was processing the data of the gridded artefact collections gathered from the multi-period site complex of the ÉrdSzázhalombatta loess plateau between 2017 and 2019, and then in 2023, I encountered several problems regarding this issue. One was related to collection units that could only be partially surveyed, resulting in an incomplete representation of their artefact counts. I have attempted to solve this issue, the problem of not fully researched collection units, with Quantum GIS tools. While this experiment produced better results, it did not solve other difficulties arising from the uncertainty of the findings dating. Since the research area was occupied from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age utilising the same raw materials for their ceramics, it was challenging to identify the exact period of the sherds. I aimed to deal with this issue by using two different approaches: one using the grid system to display the minimum and maximum number of findings from each chronological period, and the other using a point selection method for displaying differently dated artefacts simultaneously. Through the data management systems developed in this research and the various attempts to address these obstacles, I was able to extract detailed information from the raw data and consequently provide a more comprehensive interpretation of the results.