Quantitative Methods
My research relies on the use of quantitative and data science methods for exploring data, testing hypotheses, and estimating diversification dynamics. I am active in developing methods for the analysis of aggregated, multi-collection archaeological databases ("big data"). I work primarily in the R programming environment with a recent article (Gjesfjeld 2018) demonstrating the use of R for the analysis of geochemical compositional data. Drawing from my experience with macro-evolutionary methods, I also use a combination of methods to construct and evaluate cultural phylogenies (Gjesfjeld and Jordan, in press). Analysis of diversification dynamics is performed using the PyRate program developed by Daniele Silvestro and colleagues.
My research relies on the use of quantitative and data science methods for exploring data, testing hypotheses, and estimating diversification dynamics. I am active in developing methods for the analysis of aggregated, multi-collection archaeological databases ("big data"). I work primarily in the R programming environment with a recent article (Gjesfjeld 2018) demonstrating the use of R for the analysis of geochemical compositional data. Drawing from my experience with macro-evolutionary methods, I also use a combination of methods to construct and evaluate cultural phylogenies (Gjesfjeld and Jordan, in press). Analysis of diversification dynamics is performed using the PyRate program developed by Daniele Silvestro and colleagues.
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Bayesian time-calibrated phylogeny of Great Plains house styles (left) and diversification rates (top) of house styles from Gjesfjeld and Jordan (in press)
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Social Network Analysis
In addition to evolutionary models, my quantitative research has also examined the theoretical and methodological application of social network analysis to archaeological data. I am interested in exploring how "weak" social ties that extend over multiple spatial scales help reduce environmental uncertainty in remote environments by providing increased opportunities to acquire broad knowledge of environmental conditions and establishing formal partners outside of an individual’s local area (Fitzhugh et al. 2011; Gjesfjeld and Phillips 2013). Recent research in collaboration with William Brown and Ben Fitzhugh has shown that social networks can be valuable to increasing resilience, but are also costly and difficult to maintain over long time scales. Building from a theory of adaptive social networks, my research has aimed to address the methodological issues that impact the archaeological analysis of hunter-gatherer-fisher social networks. Specifically, this includes integrating bootstrap simulation and sensitivity analyses to examine the robustness and sensitivity of small node networks to incomplete and aggregated data (Gjesfjeld 2015). This research establishes that even though archaeological data often suffers from a range of methodological problems, SNA based upon archaeological data from foraging contexts can be reliably used to inform and enhance archaeological interpretations of small-scale societies. |
Time series of network structure between archaeological sites in the Kuril Islands (top) along with mean interaction distance through time (bottom) estimated from our probabilistic approach.
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Publications
Gjesfjeld, Erik and Peter Jordan
In Press. Contributions of Bayesian Phylogenetics to Exploring Patterns of Macroevolution in Archaeological Data. In Handbook of Evolutionary Research edited by Anna Prentiss, Springer Press.
Gjesfjeld, Erik
2015 Social Network Analysis of Archaeological Data from Hunter-Gatherers:Methodological Problems and Potential Solutions. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 22(1), pp. 182-205. Article can be found here.
Gjesfjeld, Erik and S. Colby Phillips
2013 Evaluating Adaptive Network Strategies with Geochemical Sourcing Data: A Case Study from the Kuril Islands. In Network Analysis in Archaeology: New Approaches to Regional Interaction, edited by Carl Knappett, pp. 281-305. Oxford University Press.
Fitzhugh, Ben, S. Colby Phillips and Erik Gjesfjeld
2011 Modeling Hunter-Gatherer Information Networks: An Archaeological Case Study from the Kuril Islands. In Information and Its Role in Hunter-Gatherer Bands, edited by Robert Whallon, William A. Lovis and Robert K. Hitchcock, pp. 85-115. Ideas, Debates,and Perspectives 5, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press: Los Angeles.
Gjesfjeld, Erik and Peter Jordan
In Press. Contributions of Bayesian Phylogenetics to Exploring Patterns of Macroevolution in Archaeological Data. In Handbook of Evolutionary Research edited by Anna Prentiss, Springer Press.
Gjesfjeld, Erik
2015 Social Network Analysis of Archaeological Data from Hunter-Gatherers:Methodological Problems and Potential Solutions. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 22(1), pp. 182-205. Article can be found here.
Gjesfjeld, Erik and S. Colby Phillips
2013 Evaluating Adaptive Network Strategies with Geochemical Sourcing Data: A Case Study from the Kuril Islands. In Network Analysis in Archaeology: New Approaches to Regional Interaction, edited by Carl Knappett, pp. 281-305. Oxford University Press.
Fitzhugh, Ben, S. Colby Phillips and Erik Gjesfjeld
2011 Modeling Hunter-Gatherer Information Networks: An Archaeological Case Study from the Kuril Islands. In Information and Its Role in Hunter-Gatherer Bands, edited by Robert Whallon, William A. Lovis and Robert K. Hitchcock, pp. 85-115. Ideas, Debates,and Perspectives 5, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press: Los Angeles.
