Fuzzy Mathematics in Archaeology: Foundations, Methods and Applications

Archaeologists frequently face uncertainty in the analysis of material remains. Fuzzy mathematics and fuzzy logic provide valuable tools for addressing such uncertainty and enhancing interpretive accuracy. This article proposes a systematic framework for applying fuzzy logic in archaeological analysis, developed through a thematic review of previous studies. We identify and categorize the key situations where fuzzy mathematics becomes essential, such as when data are imprecise, relationships are ambiguous, or expert opinions are conflicting, along with the main purposes it serves and the mechanisms through which it operates. These are matched with appropriate fuzzy tools and methods, including fuzzy reliability, fuzzy statistics, fuzzy inference systems, fuzzy regression, and fuzzy GIS. Moreover, a decision flowchart is presented to guide the selection of fuzzy tools according to the nature of archaeological uncertainty. The proposed framework demonstrates that fuzzy mathematics enables archaeologists to retain and analyze ambiguity rather than eliminate it, enabling more flexible and human-aligned interpretation.