study region
blue - main joinTime region; black - tier 1 joinTime region; red - tier 2 joinTime region; green - tier 3 joinTime region.
time frame
c. 1700 to 1500 BCE
objectives
O-1: obtain transferable skill to boost project ends and an independent career in academia or high-tech industry;
O-2: establish a high-resolution overarching grid of time-geography in the Bronze Age consolidation-phase comprising Scandinavia, the Carpathian Basin and the Aegean, and in-between these three regions;
O-3: use this grid to statistically evaluate, detail and simulate the direction and intensity of socio-cultural interaction (incl. the possibility of non-linkages);
O-4: interpret the results of objectives 2-3 in a historical review.
1. If the Bronze Age as a precursor of modern globalisation is feasible, networking will transpire as complexly multi-scalar showing: A) non-converging culture flows ‘all over the place’; B) significant growth in intensity over time throughout the transect; C) converging, i.e. routinized long-distance transfer of goods.
2. If core-periphery-margin relations were involved the three regions will each stand out, however with key resources pulled into the dominant core. Other possible factors are the origin location of desired resources (e.g. amber, metal), modes and routes of transport, human migration, societal crisis and even the role of ambassadorial gift giving.
O-2: establish a high-resolution overarching grid of time-geography in the Bronze Age consolidation-phase comprising Scandinavia, the Carpathian Basin and the Aegean, and in-between these three regions;
O-3: use this grid to statistically evaluate, detail and simulate the direction and intensity of socio-cultural interaction (incl. the possibility of non-linkages);
O-4: interpret the results of objectives 2-3 in a historical review.
1. If the Bronze Age as a precursor of modern globalisation is feasible, networking will transpire as complexly multi-scalar showing: A) non-converging culture flows ‘all over the place’; B) significant growth in intensity over time throughout the transect; C) converging, i.e. routinized long-distance transfer of goods.
2. If core-periphery-margin relations were involved the three regions will each stand out, however with key resources pulled into the dominant core. Other possible factors are the origin location of desired resources (e.g. amber, metal), modes and routes of transport, human migration, societal crisis and even the role of ambassadorial gift giving.
methodology
1) Data collection in the transect and initial data processing.
2) The 14C-based time-geography grid will be generated and linked to a probabilistic modelling of the intensity and directions of interaction.
3) Historical review of stage 2 results.
2) The 14C-based time-geography grid will be generated and linked to a probabilistic modelling of the intensity and directions of interaction.
3) Historical review of stage 2 results.
Firstly, existing 14C data will first be recorded and critically assessed. The AMS Centre offers to process new sets of state-of-the-art radiocarbon dates from each of the major three regions. We aim to add c. 200 new dates to the existing volume, sufficient to reach project ends. OxCal is a software for calibration of all the radiocarbon data while providing Bayesian statistics to sequence sets of single-site data.
Secondly, further progress presumes mathematic modelling using state-of-the-art computers. While building on the results of the first method, the Matlab software will first generate an initial time-geography grid in tight dialogue with well-published spread patterns of transcultural phenomena: chalcopyrite coppers, alloying techniques, warrior culture, metalwork styles and amber. Further analysis will ensue to statistically estimate and simulate the connectivity involved, density and social network software as ArcGIS, QGIS and Gephi will be employed.
Thirdly, the resultant time-geography, visualising levels of interaction in the transect, will accommodate answers to the main project question: when and where the consolidation phase first took form as a geo-cultural connective process. This will prompt comparisons with macro-economic models.
The data situation requires that 1) existing high-resolution 14C dates are processed anew, 2) still valuable low-resolution data are statistically re-validated, and 3) undated sites are (re)sampled and 14C dated. Criteria for data selection are: uncontaminated short-lived materials (e.g. cereals) from closed contexts (ritual or habitation), relatable to the regional chronology, status as hub or a key traffic position, and/or presence of exogenous impact/imports. Samples may come from ongoing excavations or from the patrimony of museums.
Secondly, further progress presumes mathematic modelling using state-of-the-art computers. While building on the results of the first method, the Matlab software will first generate an initial time-geography grid in tight dialogue with well-published spread patterns of transcultural phenomena: chalcopyrite coppers, alloying techniques, warrior culture, metalwork styles and amber. Further analysis will ensue to statistically estimate and simulate the connectivity involved, density and social network software as ArcGIS, QGIS and Gephi will be employed.
Thirdly, the resultant time-geography, visualising levels of interaction in the transect, will accommodate answers to the main project question: when and where the consolidation phase first took form as a geo-cultural connective process. This will prompt comparisons with macro-economic models.
The data situation requires that 1) existing high-resolution 14C dates are processed anew, 2) still valuable low-resolution data are statistically re-validated, and 3) undated sites are (re)sampled and 14C dated. Criteria for data selection are: uncontaminated short-lived materials (e.g. cereals) from closed contexts (ritual or habitation), relatable to the regional chronology, status as hub or a key traffic position, and/or presence of exogenous impact/imports. Samples may come from ongoing excavations or from the patrimony of museums.
