ANTH 140 Final Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How do 'relative dating' and 'absolute dating' differ?

Relative dating assigns absolute ages to things.

Absolute dating identifies the relative position of layers.

Absolute dating provides a chronological order of artifacts.

Relative dating puts things in order relative to one another. (correct)

What are the two relative dating methods?

Stratigraphic Dating and Seriation.

Stratigraphic dating uses layers in the earth (strata) to tell time.

True

What is the principle of strata identified by fossils?

If strata in different sites contain the same kinds of fossils, then those strata are of the same age. Signup and view all the answers

What is one kind of absolute dating technique?

Radiocarbon dating. Signup and view all the answers

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.

superposition Signup and view all the answers

What historical development made stratigraphic dating common in U.S. archaeology?

Stratigraphic excavations became common in the 1910s and 1920s. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques is NOT a chemical absolute dating technique?

Dendrochronology Signup and view all the answers

What does frequency seriation assume about the popularity of a type?

The popularity of a type gradually increases to a peak, then decreases until the type disappears. Signup and view all the answers

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.

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!