5(a) Adaptive primate radiation
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Evolutionary trend and primate taxonomy
Relative Dating Methods — 2019 Paper I
Question · 2019 · Paper I · 10 Marks
Relative Dating Methods
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Explain the major archaeological methods used to establish whether remains are relatively earlier or later.
- Structuring the Response: Describe stratigraphy, typology, seriation, cross-dating and other techniques with their basic principles.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Law of superposition, typology, seriation, cross-dating, faunal succession, fluorine dating and limitations.
Model Answer
Introduction: Relative dating methods establish the chronological order of archaeological remains without assigning them an exact numerical or calendar age. They are essential for reconstructing cultural sequences.
Major methods:
- Stratigraphy: Based on the Law of Superposition—in an undisturbed sequence, lower layers are generally older than upper layers.
Lower strata → Older
Upper strata → Younger
- Typology: Artefacts are classified according to changes in:
- form;
- style;
- technology;
- decoration.
- Seriation: Artefacts are arranged chronologically according to changing styles or frequencies through time.
- Cross-dating: An artefact of unknown age is compared with a similar object from another site having an established chronological position.
- Faunal succession: Characteristic fossil assemblages help establish the relative age of geological deposits.
- Fluorine analysis: Relative fluorine accumulation in bones from the same depositional environment can test whether they are broadly contemporaneous.
Limitations: Disturbed stratigraphy, redeposition, regional variation and long-lived artefact styles can distort relative sequences.
Conclusion: Relative dating establishes the sequence of archaeological events, while chronometric methods are required for approximate numerical dates.
Want feedback on your answer?
Join the Anthropology workshop or get structured answer-writing guidance from VAID ICS.
UPSC Anthropology Optional 2019 — Paper I
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Anthropological approaches to the study of religion
5(d) Anthropological inputs in facial reconstruction
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Forensic Anthropology > Reconstruction
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Applied human genetics
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity and fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > High altitude adaptation
1(d) Cultural Materialism
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Cultural Materialism
1(b) Cultural Relativism
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.1 The Nature of Culture > Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis Cultural Relativism
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Skeletal changes due to erect posture
5(e) Genetico-environmental factors affecting human growth
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Factors affecting growth and development
5(b) Implications of mutation in evolution
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.7 The biological basis of life > Mutation
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Impact of globalization on indigenous economies
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Racial criteria and biological basis of racial classification
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Language and culture
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Megalithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Mesolithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Methodologies for growth studies
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Neanderthal Man
5(c) Olduvai Gorge
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > East African hominid sites
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Observation
1(c) Pastoralism in India
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence > Pastoralism
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.2 Research Methods > Distinction between technique, method and methodology
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent theory and alliance theory
1(e) Relative Dating Methods
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Chronology: relative and absolute dating methods
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Upper Palaeolithic
6(a) Examine critically the contributions of Victor Turner and Clifford Geertz in anthropology.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology