This page summarizes a frequency-seriation based chronology for the Utopia IV site that was developed by DAACS (see Neiman, Galle, and Wheeler 2003 for technical details). At Utopia IV, DAACS seriated ceramic assemblages with more than five sherds, from excavated features. This made it possible to assign larger samples of artifacts to phases than if the analysis had been conducted at the level of stratigraphic groups and individual contexts, where sample sizes are much smaller.

The seriation chronology is derived from a correspondence analysis of MCD-type frequencies in the features that met the sample size criterion. Seriated assemblages were assigned to phases. Phases are groups of assemblages that have similar correspondence-analysis scores and are therefore inferred to be broadly contemporary. Phases assigned by DAACS have a P-prefix that precedes the phase number (e.g. P01 equals Phase 1).

The stratigraphic relationships among stratigraphic groups, unassigned contexts, and features are summarized in the Harris Matrix for the site. Phase assignments from the seriation are shown on the Harris Matrix in color, facilitating comparison of the seriation chronology and the stratigraphic chronology of the site.

As was the case for Utopia III, correspondence analysis (CA) of MCD-type frequencies in the 27 assemblages that met the sample size criterion yielded a complex result. After removal of one outlier (F12A/B), CA axis 2 scores were significantly correlated with other temporal indicators (MCDs and pipestem bore diameters), but axis-1 scores were not. This suggests there is an unidentified source of variation in MCD-type frequencies at the site that cross cuts time. This deserves further investigation.

Based on the CA axis-2 scores, DAACS divided Utopia IV assemblages into two temporal phases. MCDs place both phases around 1760, while TPQ's , based on the presence of creamware, point to an occupation in 1760's and 1770's. Binford pipestem dates for assemblages with more than twenty measurable stems, range from 1761 to 1781.

The following table presents a seriation chronology for the Utopia IV Site. We use the indefinite article to signify that it is not the only chronology possible, nor even the best one possible.