Dimensional Analysis of Behavior and Site Structure: Learning from an Eskimo Hunting Stand
1978/07/01 by Lewis R. Binford · 16 citations
Health Professions · Social Sciences · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Indigenous Studies and Ecology #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
paper · doi:10.2307/279390
Abstract
Detailed behavioral observations permitted the dimensional analysis of formation processes operative on the Mask site, a Nunamiut Eskimo hunting stand. Activity structure, technological organization, disposal mode, and spatial organization were all seen as behavioral dimensions that could each vary, altering the patterns of assemblage content and spatial disposition at an archaeological site. These ethnoarchaeological experiences were then contrasted with those recently reported by John Yellen (1977), and a critical evaluation of his “conclusions” was conducted from the perspective of the Eskimo experience. It was pointed out that basic differences in philosophy and approach to research largely conditioned the contrasting character of the conclusions drawn from the different experiences.
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