TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL TYPOLOGIES COMPARED: THE EXAMPLE OF ITALIAN PROTOHISTORY.

The study of material culture, particularly ceramics, is an important aspect of archaeology. The classification and typology of ceramics is often a key focus, with traditional methods based on the observation of specific morphological characteristics and the creation of taxonomies based on these types. However, recent advances in digital technologies and the use of Machine Learning have led to the development of new, digital approaches to ceramic classification. These approaches rely on statistical methods and computer science techniques to quantify vessel morphology and create multivariate datasets. The aim of this study is to compare a traditional approach elaborated by Renato Peroni and applied by many of his students, especially in the field of Italian protohistory, with a proposed digital method of ceramic classification. The comparison will be conducted using a database of approximately 1400 records from several Italian Bronze and Iron Age funerary contexts, including Casinalbo and other contexts in the Po Valley and northern Italy, as well as Pianello di Genga and Torre Galli. The proposed digital approach involves a combination of a non-linear dimensionality reduction algorithm and density-based clustering for the automated classification of ceramics. The study will consider the similarities and differences between the two methods and the potential for combining them in a complementary manner. The results of the study will provide a deeper understanding of traditional typologies and explore the potential for digital methods to enhance, improve, and complement them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]