Improvements in the Permutation Test for the Spatial Analysis of the Distribution of Artifacts into Classes

Abstract

Refinements and extensions to the permutation test for assessing the intrasite patterning of artifact distributions in an archaeological space are presented. Specifically, a Pearson type III distribution is employed to approximate the sampling distribution of the test statistic, an improved weighting is introduced to increase the efficiency of the test, and a method is presented to permit the inclusion of unclassified artifacts in the spatial analysis.