The Application of Machine Learning to Archaeology: A Paradigm Shift?

Abstract

Despite initial attempts to apply machine learning to archaeology dating back to the late 1990s, it was not until 2019 that its use began to become widespread. What advantages does this methodology have over previous methods? Can it be applied to all relevant fields of study? This article aims to answer these questions through an exhaustive review of archaeological studies that employ this methodology and by developing a model with a specific algorithm, based on Bayesian networks, to explore its benefits and limitations.