Bayesian Models of Oneota Radiocarbon Dates from Central Iowa

A Bayesian model refines the chronology of Moingona phase Oneota sites in the central Des Moines River valley. The posterior median age is 1325 CE, with most probability between 1300 and 1340 CE, indicating a brief occupation. The dataset, authored by Matthew G. Hill and last updated in May 2026, includes DOCX and XLSX files totaling 366.4 KB.

Use Cases

• Refine the chronology of Moingona phase sites based on Bayesian modeling of radiocarbon dates.
• Analyze the duration and timing of Oneota occupation in central Iowa based on posterior probability ranges.
• Compare settlement histories across different regions of Iowa based on comparative modeling results.
• Investigate the impact of calibration curve features and charcoal date imprecision on chronological interpretations.

Strengths

• Modeling provides a tightly constrained posterior median age of 1325 CE.
• Analysis covers multiple sites within the central Des Moines River valley.
• Comparative modeling extends the analysis to other regions of Iowa.
• Data is openly available under a CC-BY-4.0 license.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The dataset is small at 366.4 KB, indicating limited scope.

Provenance

Source

Matthew G. Hill via figshare.

Collection Method

Bayesian modeling of radiocarbon dates from archaeological sites.

Time Range

Posterior median age 1325 CE, with most probability between 1300 and 1340 CE.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-09 20:56:33; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Central Des Moines River valley, Iowa, USA.