Statistics for Archaeologists: A Common Sense Approach

by Robert D. Drennan

Taking a jargon-free approach, this guidebook introduces the basic principles of statistics to archaeologists. The author covers the necessary techniques for analyzing data collected in the field and laboratory as well as for evaluating the significance of the relationships between variables. In addition, chapters discuss the special concerns of working with samples. This well-illustrated guide features several practice problems making it an ideal text for students in archaeology and anthropology.

Genres: Archaeology, Anthropology, Nonfiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 1996

Reviews

[Lee Broderick]

I was recommended this book repeatedly by a US colleague. Having finally read it, I can see why. It does a very good job of introducing the concepts of exploratory data analysis for archaeologists in such a way that the reader usually feels that they are given enough information without being given too much.

I can also see why it is not a book often referred to on this side of the Atlantic, however. I hadn't realised the extent to which different terms are used for basic statistical principles in US as opposed to English.

In common with other statistics textbooks, a useful further reading section is provided at the end, covering most of those with which I am familiar. I always feel that a concluding chapter would be helpful, but thinking about it now, I'm not sure what it should contain so I can well understand why this (and similar) books do not include one.

3.5/5

[Emily]

Robust Methods. One sample t test to find significance or null hypothesis. Product-moment correlation coefficient. If you don’t have a clue what any of those terms are, read Drennan’s book! I am hopeless when it comes to math, any kind of math. Numbers and I just don’t get along and a calculator won’t always cover it in archaeology. This book saved my sanity and my methods and inference grades. Drennan has the exceptional ability to break down complex statistical terms and concepts in an understandable way. It truly is a common sense approach. I would recommend this book to anyone learning archaeological methods and crunching field data.

[Xarah]

While I only read sections of this book for class, I did find it useful in explaining the statistics. Though didn't make me like stats any better.