Refitting analysis

Refitting analysis is basically the study of how an object was split up in parts and how these parts were distributed over an area. By rejoining these parts the archaeologist obtains a (partial) reconstruction of the original object, and he may get information about the process or technique of the disassemblage. The spatial distribution and the interrelationship of the constituting parts are studied by drawing lines between joining parts on a distribution map. In this way patterns of lines will be found, which may clarify the spatial organization of an archaeological site. The method has become popular among Stone Age archaeologists. It is usually applied to flint artefacts, but it could be used for any type of raw material (Johansen 2000).

In the program one can make easily selections on refitting data, such as type, length, group etc. The result of the selection will be displayed on the distribution map and density map. The length can be studied in either a trace line or histogram. And the orientation of the lines can be shown in a sector graph. In ANALITHIC III spatial selections for refits can be made in various ways, e.g. one can study the lines going from one area to another. Every thinkable combination of lines and areas (polygons) can be made in selections.

The structure of a group can be studied in a so called ‘refitting diagram’. This is a schematical representation of the artefacts and their type of connections.

Some examples:

Pincevent unit T112: distibution map of refitting lines between burins and burin spalls.

Pincevent unit T112: histogram showing the length of refit lines between burins and burin spalls.

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