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Towards Robust Demographic Models: A Systematic Approach to 14C Data Aggregation and Analysis: Lessons from the Southern Levant Cover

Towards Robust Demographic Models: A Systematic Approach to 14C Data Aggregation and Analysis: Lessons from the Southern Levant

Open Access
|Feb 2025

Abstract

This study presents a robust seven-step framework for curating and analysing extensive radiocarbon (14C) datasets, optimised to construct accurate Summed Probability Distribution (SPD) models. Applied to a comprehensive dataset of 4,657 14C dates from 582 archaeological sites in the Southern Levant spanning the last 50,000 years, this framework systematically consolidates data by eliminating duplicates, refining archaeological periodisation, and integrating key environmental variables like phytogeographic zones and natural regions. Through meticulous 14C classification, outlier identification, and model assessment, the resulting dataset and models are refined, transparent, and adhere to FAIR principles for accessibility. This approach enhances the reliability of SPD models in studying ancient population trends and human-environment dynamics, offering a versatile tool adaptable to similar large-scale datasets across regions.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/joad.144 | Journal eISSN: 2049-1565
Language: English
Submitted on: Nov 12, 2024
Accepted on: Feb 18, 2025
Published on: Feb 26, 2025
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2025 Magdalena Maria Elisabeth Bunbury, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.