Computerized morphological classification of ceramics

A novel morphological analysis of ceramic assemblages is presented using objective, automatic and computerized method for clustering and classification. The analysis is based on the entire shape of the potsherds, as expressed by three mathematical representations of their profiles. The similarity between profiles is mathematically defined in terms of the above mentioned representations. Cluster Analysis and Discriminant Analysis are used to reveal a hierarchical classification of pottery assemblages. The method is illustrated here by a detailed analysis of an assemblage which was classified previously by a pottery expert. A quantitative comparison of the two typologies reveals the power and archaeological sense of the new method.

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► A new objective, automatic and computerized method for classification of ceramics.
► Similarity of pottery shapes is defined in terms of mathematical representations.
► An advanced Cluster Analysis with refinement steps forms hierarchical typology.
► Type-codes are matched to vessel shapes which cluster as branches on the tree.
► Comparison with traditional methods revealed remarkable improvement.