Cascading prehistoric events: Fractalizing prehistoric research

Given that there is "Event Archaeology," this paper is definitional. It asks and answers several questions regarding the nature of prehistoric events. They are: what is a prehistoric event; how does one find events in the prehistoric record; how are prehistoric events represented in space and time; and what are the stages in the use of prehistoric events in archaeology. It focuses attention on grid- and vector-based representations as well as the importance of patchiness and three alternative representations of time. Answering the question "What types of event categories are there?" four types are suggested: "event standardized," "event aversive," "event contagious," and "event neutral" behavior. The utility for archaeologists of "event plots" showing different event systems and termination dates is explored. Prehistoric individuals and cultures created events. Archaeologists recreate them. And that is the way it should be.