Generated through discussion with a gpt trained on several volumes of material related to the logic of harris matrices, this file represents the gpt's best attempt at representing the conventions of a harris matrix via mermaid.js . There is no text-based specification explicitly for harris matrices, to my knowledge, so this is a kind of band-aid…

gistfile1.txt

# Stratigraphic Representation with Mermaid.js: A Guide to Conventions



This document outlines a set of conventions for representing complex stratigraphic sequences using Mermaid.js diagram syntax. The aim is to provide a standardized approach to visualize archaeological stratigraphy in a clear and comprehensible manner.



## 1. Superposition

- **Chronological Superposition**: Use vertical arrows to represent the layering of strata over time.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A-->B;

B-->C;

\`\`\`



## 2. Contemporaneity

- **Contemporaneous Layers**: Place nodes at the same horizontal level with bidirectional arrows to indicate simultaneous existence.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A---B;

A---C;

B---C;

\`\`\`



## 3. Cuts and Fills

- **Cuts**: Dashed arrows indicate cuts into layers.

- **Fills**: Solid arrows represent the material used to fill cuts.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A -->|Cut| B;

B -.->|Fill| C;

\`\`\`



## 4. Interruptions and Hiatuses

- **Gaps in Deposition**: Dotted lines with "Hiatus" note indicate a temporal gap between layers.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A -. "Hiatus" .- B;

\`\`\`



## 5. Re-depositions

- **Material Movement**: Show removal from one layer and deposition in another.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A -->|Removed| B;

B -->|Deposited| C;

\`\`\`



## 6. Complex Features

- **Features like walls, pits**: Use subgraphs and annotations to group related features.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

subgraph "Pit with Fills"

Pit1 -.-> Fill1;

Pit1 -.-> Fill2;

end

A --> Pit1;

\`\`\`



## 7. Uncertainties

- **Uncertain Stratigraphic Position**: A line pointing to a range with "Uncertain" annotation.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A -. "Uncertain" .-|Layer B to D| B;

\`\`\`



## 8. Overlap and Interdigitation

- **Overlapping Layers**: Converging lines with "Overlaps" annotation.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A --> C;

B -. "Overlaps" .-> C;

\`\`\`



## 9. Distinctive Events

- **Events like floods, earthquakes**: Use specific colors or styles for affected layers.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:4px;

A --> B;

\`\`\`



## 10. Annotations

- **Additional Context**: Text annotations provide context or explanations adjacent to the relevant nodes.

\`\`\`mermaid

graph TD;

A --> B;

B --> C;

C --> D;

D --> E;

note right of E "Note: Layer E represents the 1900s flood event";

\`\`\`



## Legend

- Solid Arrow (\`-->\`): Direct stratigraphic sequence.

- Dashed Arrow (\`-.->\`): Cut into a layer.

- Dotted Line (\`-.-\`): Hiatus or gap in the sequence.

- Bidirectional Arrow (\`---\`): Contemporaneous layers.

- Colored Node (\`style A fill:#f9f\`): Event-specific layer.



Ensure to maintain consistency with these conventions throughout your diagrams for clarity. The legend should be included with any diagrams using these conventions to aid interpretation.