zoolog R package: Zooarchaeological analysis with log-ratios

Log Size Indexes (LSI) allow the increase of the number of data and have been used in a number of zooarch-aeological studies since 1950. However, some standards to calculate the log ratios remain unpublished, the calculation of the indexes can be tedious, and it is further hindered by the diversity of data recording practices. The R package 'zoolog' enables calculation of thousands of log-ratios in seconds, with the advantage that the users can choose between different public references, which increases the repeatability and comparability of the results, allowing the smooth integration of references and databases with heterogeneous nomenclatures. Alter-natively, the users may use their own references. This paper presents the main functionalities and procedures enabled by the package 'zoolog', together with some examples of use. A real dataset and several examples with R code are provided with the aim of facilitating osteometrical analyses in zooarchaeology.

Automated summary

Log Size Indexes (LSI) have been used in zooarchaeological studies since 1950 to increase the amount of data. However, there are unpublished standards for calculating log ratios, and the diversity of data recording practices makes the calculation of indexes tedious. The 'zoolog' R package solves these issues by allowing users to calculate thousands of log-ratios quickly and choose between different public references, increasing repeatability and comparability of results.