Ring & Sector analysis, and site 'IT' on Greenland

• Main Authors: Stapert, D., Johansen, L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Groningen Press 1996
• Subjects: Greenland
• Online Access: http://rjh.ub.rug.nl/Palaeohistoria/article/view/25082

A technigue for applying the ring and sector method to grid-cell data is introduced. In cases where the cells are not larger than 50x50 cm, it is possibIe to adjust for distortions ('pseudo-peaks') created by the artefacts from the sieve having artificial coordinates in the centres of the cells. This is achieved by comparing the observed ring (or sector) distributions with those produced on the basis of a theoretical test file reflecting randomness. The procedure is tested and illustrated, using mainly the data of an early Dorset site On Greenland ('IT'). The outcomes of the ring and sector analysis are contrasted with the results of a refitting analysis of the same site. The main subject of the paper is the use of ring and sector analysis for establishing the presence of dwelling structures, independently ofarchaeologically visible features.