Abstract

The principle of stratigraphic superposition remains one of the fundamental concepts employed in archaeological analysis. Lately, however, discussion has also been given to the effects of human and natural disturbance factors and their relationships to observed artifact sequences. The analysis of these factors is usually undertaken only when obvious disturbance features such as frost heaving, ploughing or downslope mass wasting are apparent. Mixing of artifact assemblages may also occur in sites with less obvious pedological disruptions. Two methods of discovering and assessing unobvious disturbances are considered: one statistical; and one qualitative. The relative merits of each are discussed and their applicability to archaeological contexts is illustrated with case studies. The implications of intra-site artifact displacement are examined in terms of the interpretive paradigm of archaeological stratigraphy.