SILPOT : a cluster analysis study of pottery from Southern Indian Lake, Manitoba

Abstract

A review of the ceramic classifications now in use for the forest regions of central Canada shows archaeologists have emphasized categorization as the principle on which classes are defined. In this study of a sample of ceramic vessels from Southern Indian Lake Manitoba, an alternative approach is proposed and implemented. The sample is investigated for taxonomic correlations of attributes in categories of morphological and decorative variation. Difficulties were encountered resulting from incompleteness of vessel reconstruction and analysis distortion caused by logical correlation and almost invariant valuation of some attributes. Cluster analysis procedures applied to the data were successful in recognizing groups in both categories of variation, but except in one instance, the results were not stable, suggesting additional analysis will be required to establish the nature of formal ceramic variation for the Late Prehistoric of the region.`