ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES LEIDEN UNIVERSITY

Transcription

1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES LEIDEN UNIVERSITY

2 Archaeological Studies Leiden University Archaeology and the application of Artificial Intelligence Case-studies on use-wear analysis of prehistoric flint tools Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor aan de Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden, op gezag van de Rector Magnificus Dr. W.A. Wagenaar, hoogleraar in de Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen, volgens besluit van het College van Dekanen te verdedigen op 21 januari 1998 te klokke uur door Monique Henriëtte VAN DEN DRIES geboren te Zierikzee in 1965 Faculty of Archaeology University of Leiden 1998

3 Promotiecommissie promotor: co-promotores: referent: overige leden: Prof.dr. L.P. Louwe Kooijmans Dr. A.L. van Gijn Dr. H. Kamermans Prof.dr. J.E. Doran (University of Essex, Colchester) Prof.dr. J.N. Kok

4 contents 1 Introduction 9 2 The application of artificial intelligence in archaeology Introduction Historical and contextual background The emergence of quantitative methods A new approach: artificial intelligence Review of knowledge-based applications in archaeology Attitudes towards the application of knowledge-based methods From high expectations to cautiousness Lessons Discussion 16 3 Expert system fundamentals Introduction Architecture Knowledge representation and reasoning methods Introduction Predicate logic Production rules Semantic nets Frames Hybrid representation Expert-system development process Introduction Orientation Knowledge acquisition Design, implementation and evaluation Implementation tools Introduction Programming languages versus shells 29 4 The application domain: use-wear analysis of prehistoric flint tools Introduction The emergence and development of use-wear analysis Methodical aspects Combination of information sources Use-wear phenomena Microscopy Difficulties encountered From a qualitative to a quantitative method? Introduction 37 5

5 4.5.2 Automation of the observation process Quantification of recordings Automation of the inferencing process Discussion 41 5 An expert system application for use-wear analysis: WAVES Introduction 43 part one: WAVES under construction The knowledge acquisition Introduction The elicitation of the expert knowledge The data analyzed Knowledge modelling and uncertainty handling Design and implementation Introduction Knowledge handling Requirements Decisions User interface Requirements Decisions Hardware and software Requirements Decisions Discussion Introduction On using knowledge derived from experiments On managing uncertainty 56 part two: WAVES in action The composition of the analysis procedure The composition of the hypothesis validation procedure A session Getting started Running the analysis procedure Interpreting the interpretation Running the hypothesis validation procedure An assessment of the composition of the application Introduction Answers to expectations of computer archaeologists Answers to expectations of use-wear analysts Unanswered questions and suggestions for additions Comparison with FAST 77 6 A neural network prototype for use-wear analysis: WARP Introduction Neural network fundamentals Historical backgrounds Architecture Development process Introduction Knowledge representation A matter of training and experimentation 84 6

6 6.3.4 A session The prototype Introduction The knowledge represented The training process An assessment of the prototype Introduction Answers to expectations of computer archaeologists Answers to expectations of use-wear analysts Suggestions for additions 91 7 Test results Introduction Blind tests in use-wear analysis The first test Test-set composition The expert system s achievements The neural network s achievements Conclusion The second test Introduction Test-set composition Achievements Conclusion Comparison with other blind tests Discussion Synthesis Introduction The added value of expert systems and neural networks Expert systems Neural networks Expert systems versus neural networks? Added value of knowledge-based systems for archaeology Recommendations A different approach of functionality Care for social acceptability Change of attitude Concluding remarks 129 Appendix I: The conceptual knowledge of the analysis procedure 131 Appendix II: The conceptual knowledge of the hypothesis validation procedure of WAVES 147 Appendix III: The input and output variables of WARP 153 Appendix IV: Descriptions of the blind test 155 Appendix V: Interpretations of the blind test 171 References 187 Samenvatting (Dutch summary) 195 Acknowledgements 201 Addendum: A.L. van Gijn, Richard Fullagar: Welcoming Waves 203 7