Reconstructing Deposits and Recontextualising Artefacts at Creag a' Chapuill Cave, Skye

This dataset contains a 3D model of Creag a' Chapuill cave, Skye, Scotland. The 1932 excavation at Creag a' Chapuill cave by W. Lindsay Scott revealed significant archaeological evidence with the potential to inform archaeologists about settlement and trading contacts along the western seaboard of Scotland. 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, Graphical Information Systems (GIS) and legacy data was used to virtually reconstruct excavated deposits and recontextualise artefacts. Volumetric analysis revealed a high density of worked-stone (225 artefacts per m3) in Region 4C and a high slag density in Regions 4B (17.2 kg/m3), 4C (5.6 kg/m3) and 2B (1.4 kg per m3). Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) was used to detect potential patterns of artefact distribution in order to investigate the degree and extent of disturbance at the time of excavation, chronological phases, and activity areas. Join count statistic indicated global spatial autocorrelation within the worked-stone (z-score = -2.144) and Bronze Age pottery (z-score = -2.109) data and Local Moran’s I statistic indicated local spatial autocorrelation within the worked-stone and slag data. The data can be used to confirm patterns recognised by the original excavator, as well as revealing new patterns which highlight the complex depositional and post-depositional formation of the cave deposits. This allows easier comparisons to be made with more recently excavated sites therefore increasing our understanding of the local prehistoric landscape and contributing to our knowledge of prehistoric cave use within Scotland.本数据集包含苏格兰斯凯岛Creag a' Chapuill洞穴的三维模型。1932年，W. Lindsay Scott对该洞穴开展考古发掘，出土了大量重要考古证据，可为考古学家研究苏格兰西部沿海的定居模式与贸易联系提供关键参考。研究团队借助三维计算机辅助设计（Computer Aided Design, CAD）软件、地理信息系统（Graphical Information Systems, GIS）以及历史遗留数据，对发掘出土的堆积层进行虚拟重建，并对出土器物开展重新语境化分析。体积分析结果显示，4C区域的加工石器密度极高，达每立方米225件；4B、4C与2B区域的炉渣密度分别为17.2千克/立方米、5.6千克/立方米与1.4千克/立方米。探索性空间数据分析（Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis, ESDA）被用于识别器物分布的潜在模式，以此探究发掘时遗址受扰动的程度与范围、年代分期以及各类活动区域。连接计数统计结果表明，加工石器（z值=-2.144）与青铜时代陶器（z值=-2.109）的数据存在全局空间自相关性；局部莫兰I统计则显示，加工石器与炉渣的数据存在局部空间自相关性。该数据集可用于验证原发掘者所识别出的堆积模式，同时也能揭示新的分布规律，凸显洞穴堆积复杂的沉积与沉积后形成过程。这便于与近年发掘的遗址开展对比研究，从而深化我们对当地史前景观的认知，并丰富我们对苏格兰境内史前洞穴利用情况的了解。