Podcast
Questions and Answers
How do 'relative dating' and 'absolute dating' differ?
How do 'relative dating' and 'absolute dating' differ?
What are the two relative dating methods?
What are the two relative dating methods?
Stratigraphic Dating and Seriation.
Stratigraphic dating uses layers in the earth (strata) to tell time.
Stratigraphic dating uses layers in the earth (strata) to tell time.
True
What is the principle of strata identified by fossils?
What is the principle of strata identified by fossils?
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What is one kind of absolute dating technique?
What is one kind of absolute dating technique?
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The law of ______ states that in any pile of undisturbed strata, the youngest stratum is at the top and the oldest is at the bottom.
The law of ______ states that in any pile of undisturbed strata, the youngest stratum is at the top and the oldest is at the bottom.
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What historical development made stratigraphic dating common in U.S. archaeology?
What historical development made stratigraphic dating common in U.S. archaeology?
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Which of the following techniques is NOT a chemical absolute dating technique?
Which of the following techniques is NOT a chemical absolute dating technique?
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What does frequency seriation assume about the popularity of a type?
What does frequency seriation assume about the popularity of a type?
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Study Notes
Relative vs Absolute Dating
- Relative dating determines the age of artifacts or layers in relation to others, establishing a sequence of events.
- Absolute dating assigns a specific age to artifacts, providing precise timeframes (e.g., A.D. 300, 10,000 B.P).
Relative Dating Methods
- Stratigraphic Dating: Utilizes layers of earth (strata) to determine the chronological order of artifacts based on their position.
- Strata: Distinct layers of material within the earth; crucial for archaeological and geological analysis.
- Stratigraphy: The study of layers to understand historical timelines and site formation processes.
Absolute Dating Methods
- Provides specific ages for artifacts and major historical events, like the origins of agriculture.
- Involves methods such as:
- Dendrochronology: Tree-ring dating.
- Radiocarbon Dating (14C): Applicable only to organic materials, dating up to 10,000 years.
- Potassium-argon (K-Ar): Used for older samples.
- Luminescence Dating (OSL/TL): Measures last exposure to light.
- Obsidian Hydration: Chemical dating technique.
- Each method has specific materials it can date and varying levels of precision and accuracy.
Principles of Stratigraphic Dating
- Law of Superposition: In undisturbed strata, newer layers atop older ones; useful for chronological placement of artifacts.
- Principle of Identified Strata: Correlates strata across sites based on similar fossil or artifact types, aiding in the construction of regional timelines.
History and Importance of Stratigraphic Dating in U.S. Archaeology
- Before the 1900s, stratigraphic excavation was rare in the U.S., unlike Europe.
- Influential archaeologists in the 1910s and 1920s demonstrated its utility, especially in the southwestern U.S.
- Stratigraphic methods allowed for the classification of pottery designs over time, enhancing regional chronologies.
- Became standard practice for U.S. archaeology following the 1920s.
Seriation Study
- Seriation: Technique to order artifacts based on stylistic similarities or frequency.
- Stylistic Seriation: Arranges artifacts chronologically based on evolving stylistic traits, assuming gradual change.
- Frequency Seriation: Orders artifacts by frequency, following the assumption of a "battleship-shaped" popularity curve, indicating rise and fall of certain types over time.
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Description
Test your knowledge with ANTH 140 final flashcards focusing on relative and absolute dating methods. Understand the differences between these dating techniques and their applications in anthropology. Perfect for final exam preparation!
