From Measurements of some Prehistoric Design Development

Abstract

Figure 2 presents a pattern of type frequencies that can best be visualized from the forms and relative vertical positions of the curves made by the dotted smoothing lines. In this attempt to correlate the Red River chronology with those in adjacent areas, I am concerned with these smoothed curves. The process of correlation is tedious and must be a total comparison of frequency peaks, duration, and internal features of types. This is most readily accomplished with chronological graphs representing neighboring areas laid side by side on a table. Then, bearing in mind the fact that we have no absolute time control over either the entire span of each chronology or of its segments, the parts of the chronologies are shifted upward or downward, until the best agreement is achieved between the patterning formed by corresponding or closely related types.⁴