Excision Envelopes

Once the datum symbols were all plotted, the next step was to draw boundary lines around each of
the symbol types if a pattern existed, or around individual isolated symbols. After much discussion
the decision was made that Bruce Chureh would draw ALL of the boundary lines due to the highly
subjective nature of the task; no two people could draw the lines in exactly the same place. It is

evident from a sean of the plate maps that the lines drawn are not strictly isopleths. It is also

evident that additional profile data are required to adequately define the boundaries in many areas.
When sufficient data have been collected, the boundary lines should be redrawn with due observance
of the rules governing isopleths.
Translation to Volumes

The boundaries were traced onto square grid paper for each depth and each criterion line, then the
curved boundaries were squared off as close as reasonably possible. Next, the enclosed squares were
counted and adjustment made for the difference in scale between x and y directions. The adjusted
area for each depth and activity line was then translated to volume by appropriate multiplication.
The assumption was made that the activity shown on a plate extended downward through the 20 em
thickness of the plate. While this procedure may not accurately portray reality it produces a number
that is probably close to the volume that would actually be excised.
Summation of Volumes

The final product of this exercise is a table of numbers showing the volume by depth for each
criterion level for each area and summarized by island. These data were NOT accumulated into a
neat form due to the highly preliminary nature of the results. The procedure has been outlined,
however, and is subject to refinement as additional data are collected and the entire exercise is
repeated for final estimates,
(Editor's Note: Sixteen pages of "maps" were drawn for this exercise, but were not distributed with
the age Note. A specimen of the plate map for the 13-N-1 area of Irene is presented in Figure
B-7-1.

FIGURE B-7-1. PICTURE OF THE 13N1 AREA OF IRENE

B-7-2

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