From past to present : understanding the impact of sampling bias on data recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme
This thesis explores the distribution of the data collected by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), which records archaeological artefacts recovered by members of the public, many of whom are metal detector users. With over 780,000 artefacts recorded onto an online database, it is not surprising that the PAS data have become an essential part of many research projects. However, until now there has been little work on the biases that are inherent in the data, in particular the effect of sampling bias on the distribution of finds. The thesis is grounded in discussions of sampling theory and collection bias, and suggests that bias can enter the archaeological record in seven stages (burial/loss, preservation, survival, exposure, recovery, reporting, and recording). A range of the factors contained within these stages are explored through three study areas (the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, and Northamptonshire). Within each area the distribution of PAS artefacts is first compared to the known distribution of past human activity, and then to a range of physical and man-made landscape features. Six case studies are used to explore specific elements in more detail, to focus the analysis on those factors that have
Robbins, Katherine
CC Archaeology
From past to present : understanding the impact of sampling bias on data recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. This thesis explores the distribution of the data collected by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), which records archaeological artefacts recovered by members of the public, many of whom are metal detector users. With over 780,000 artefacts recorded onto an online database, it is not surprising that the PAS data have become an essential part of many research projects. However, until now there has been little work on the biases that are inherent in the data, in particular the effect of sampling bias on the distribution of finds. The thesis is grounded in discussions of sampling theory and collection bias, and suggests that bias can enter the archaeological record in seven stages (burial/loss, preservation, survival, exposure, recovery, reporting, and recording). A range of the factors contained within these stages are explored through three study areas (the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, and Northamptonshire). Within each area the distribution of PAS artefacts is first compared to the known distribution of past human activity, and then to a range of physical and man-made landscape features. Six case studies are used to explore specific elements in more detail, to focus the analysis on those factors that have
past_present impact sample bias data record_portable_antiquities_scheme explore distribution data_collect portable antiquities scheme pas record archaeological_artefact recover member public many metal user artefact record onto online database surprising pas data become essential_part many project however_little work bias inherent data particular effect sample bias distribution_find grounded discussion sample theory collection bias suggest bias enter archaeological_record stage burial loss preservation survival exposure recovery reporting record range_factor contain_within stage explore study_area isle_wight hampshire northamptonshire within_area distribution pas artefacts first compare know distribution past_human activity range physical man_made landscape_feature case_study use explore specific element detail focus analysis factor