This thesis proposes an exploratory method of spatial analysis oriented to the recognition of adjacency patterns in point sets. The underpinning elements of such method are the relative neighbourhood concept, the retrieval of proximity graphs, the measurement of graph-theoretic relational properties, both at global and local levels; and the visualisation of spatial patterns in three dimensions. This is called Relative Neighbourhood Method of Spatial Analysis, or RN-Method, for short. The method was specifically designed to analyse a special type of archaeological deposit, which we denominate as 'spatial symbolic contexts.' Spatial symbolic contexts are artefact arrangements, ordered in such a way that the literal significance of each item acquires a parallel meaning thanks to its spatial associations with other elements of the set. These appear frequently as a subject of study in archaeology. Unfortunately, before the start of this project, there were not appropriate methods to investigate them. We undertook the challenge of improving such a state of affairs by focusing on the requirements of an interesting study case, namely the Mexica offerings. The Mexica offerings are archaeological deposits which contain a great diversity of ritual objects. The specific arrangement of the items responded to Aztec religious beliefs, whose decipherement is of great relevance for the understanding of such culture. The RN-Method provides formal means to explore the topology of such arrangements as a previous step to interpreting the overall meaning of the caches. These include a graph representation of the offerings in which artefacts correspond to vertices and edges model their spatial adjacency. The specific types of graph used in this thesis are the so-called Relative Neighbourhood Graph, Gabriel Graph, Beta-skeleton, and Limited Neighbourhood Graph. All of them are based on an interesting morphological notion known as relative neighbourhood. This retrieves spatial relations based on the relative position of points, as opposed to their absolute location. In this sense, the concept is different from traditional 'metric' notions such as nearest neighbour. Two major steps of the RN-Method are the visualisation and quantification of global structure, from which it is possible to identify overall similarities or differences in the offerings layout, as well as to make comparisons accross multiple deposits. The method also adopts some measures to assess the relative importance of vertices. Applying such measures to the Mexica offerings, we are able to identify objects located in positions of lower and higher control, as well as objects in integrated and segregated places. In addition, the method includes the application of a visual clustering technique, oriented to the identification of regular combinations of artefacts that may have constituted a 'symbolic theme'. Finally, we illustrate with three offerings the type of interpretation procedure that can be applied to decipher the meaning of these spatial symbolic contexts.

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The principal aim of this study is to apply various methods of numeric classification and ordination (commonly used by archaeologists) to the incidence matrix of stamps occurring on medieval bells from England, and to compare the results with what is known independently about these data from documentary sources. The incidence matrix records the presence of 1116 stamps on 3390 bells. Recorded bells have been assigned to 89 different founders, 51 of whom have bells appearing in the incidence matrix. Three varieties of cluster analysis and correspondence analysis have been applied to this matrix. These analyses reveal clusters of bells and stamps relating to particular founders and foundries, and the relative chronological sequence in which the bells were cast and the stamps used. The success of each technique in defining these clusters and sequences accurately has been tested quantitatively by comparing the results of each analysis with the documentary record. For this to be valid, it is vital that the link between the documentary evidence and the surviving bells is rigorous and explicit. The criteria which have been used to link these two types of data are discussed in Chapter 2. The results of the different mathematical approaches are given in Chapters 3 and 4. Only k-means cluster analysis provides results which are consistently in disagreement with the documentary evidence. The other techniques allocate between two-thirds and three quarters of bells or stamps accurately to clusters which relate to particular founders or foundries. Correspondence analysis has proven particularly successful at identifying clusters of bells which relate to foundries. The techniques have been less successful at identifying accurate chronological series of bells or stamps, with other sources of variation predominating. Finally, some indication of the potential for such analyses to illuminate our understanding of the English medieval bellfounding industry is provided.

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Although archaeologists and conservators share an interest in preserving the past, the exchange of knowledge between them, particularly in terrestrial, pre-colonial archaeology in the US, is still relatively uncommon. The research presented in this thesis specifically addresses how this divide was created, as well as how it is perpetuated. Perhaps more importantly, the research identifies points of intersection between these disciplines that provide opportunities for "trading zones" of knowledge. The research is based on the premise that a profession defines itself through a shared understanding of the history, values, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to function within it. Although this understanding may vary locally and individually, professional identities are shaped through the performance of practice, and differences in professional practice may become most visible during informal interaction in everyday activities and in more formal settings such as conferences and meetings. Another premise of the research is that disciplinary values can be viewed through elements of a profession's material culture, such as its literature. To identify the boundaries and potential trading zones between the disciplines of conservation and archaeology, the research strategy mixed qualitative and quantitative ethnographic methods. Activities of conservators and archaeologists were observed at three archaeological sites from 2003 to 2005 - one site in Southwest Asia, another in the Mediterranean region, and one in the US. These data were supplemented with observations of activities at professional conferences of archaeologists and conservators during the same time period, as well as a review of articles from two peer-reviewed journals from each discipline published in 2004. Quantitative data were gathered from the journal texts and transcripts of audio and video recordings of activities on site and at conferences. Since a theme of risk emerged early in the research, this theme was used as a lens through which to identify issues of importance to both disciplines. Transcripts and journal texts were analysed against a list of "risk concepts", and frequencies and contexts of these concepts were compared within and between disciplines. Results of the quantitative analysis pointed toward issues of importance in the qualitative data, and revealed that a primary boundary and potential trading zone between the disciplines involved interpretation. Furthermore, the results indicated that, as for archaeology, interpretation for archaeological conservation begins during excavation, making work together on site essential for sharing knowledge and enabling collaboration.

This thesis demonstrates how digital documentation and the development of integrated hazard assessment tools, can help guide the sustainable management of dynamic natural heritage sites. Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Position System (GPS) technologies are used to digitally document the Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site. This enables the development of GIS based integrated hazard assessment tools. These help site managers determine where specific processes occur, their likelihood of occurrence and probable impacts. At the Giant's Causeway the approach is used to assess the impact of slope failures on visitors and staff, and the impact of sea level rise on priority habitats and species. Results suggest that digital documentation, when coupled with integrated hazard assessment can make a tangible and practical contribution towards sustained physical access and practical conservation. A review of the issues and opportunities associated with the approach, result in the presentation of strategic guidelines which help managers deliver sustainable digital documentation and integrated hazard assessment projects.

This research centres on the use of portable X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) as a tool for archaeological geochemistry. The instrument was used as part of varied contextual, vertical and horizontal sampling strategies on three Viking Age sites in southern Norway in order to investigate archaeological geochemistry as a method of better understanding spatial and temporal variation in occupation deposits. Archaeological deposits are often truncated, redeposited or otherwise disturbed, which limits the application of more established methods for geochemical sampling by means of a static, horizontal grid. Instead, flexible sampling strategies were developed that included coring as a prospection method combined with high-resolution GPR data. The combination of portable XRF and coring, both within excavation contexts and as prospection, allowed high resolution analysis directly onto the core. The minimal sample preparation allowed a greater data volume to be gathered, and the data provided a geochemical chronological sequence for the deposits. Thus, both spatial and temporal planes were accessible where the archaeological material was suitable. The validity of this method, as well as the use of portable XRF for geochemical analysis in archaeology, was assessed critically throughout this research. The results suggest that there is a loss of accuracy and resolution by using portable XRF on unprepared samples; here this is deemed offset by the benefits. The method of coring, and thus preserving the stratigraphy for sampling and analysis, allows not only the continuity and change within the archaeological deposits to be assessed, but also details soil processes to a greater extent than established, extraction based methods such as ICP-MS. XRF analyses the whole sample, and whilst this can mute certain trends in the anthropological inputs, it means that interpretation can include the impact soil processes have had on these inputs by stratigraphic phase. Moreover, on sites where preservation is limited, deposits that would previously be disregarded for geochemistry can be used to form some understanding of past occupation from the little that remains. This approach is developed though the course of the three case studies, and the data statistically treated using principal component analysis, and interpreted from a geoarchaeological perspective. The research also attempts to embrace theoretical perspectives that enhance insight into past social and cultural practices. As archaeological geochemistry aims to understand space, it is also fundamental to understand the social meaning of space within the contexts investigated.

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This project aims to provide a broad but detailed discussion of the interrelationships between archaeological theory and practice, the preserved material record, scientific understanding of the nature of structural fire dynamics and the current practice of fire investigators in excavating forensic fire scenes In a UK context. By drawing these disciplines together, it seeks to achieve a number of distinct goals; improved understanding of structural fires as they are preserved in the archaeological record; the identification of a range of methodological tools that may benefit the practice of archaeologists in approaching burnt buildings; and the adaptation of techniques of archaeological excavation and recording that might improve the current practice of debris sifting prevalent in forensic fire investigation.