Relative Dating Methods — 2019 Paper I

Approach

• 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:

1. 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

1. Typology: Artefacts are classified according to changes in:
   • form;
   • style;
   • technology;
   • decoration.
2. Seriation: Artefacts are arranged chronologically according to changing styles or frequencies through time.
3. Cross-dating: An artefact of unknown age is compared with a similar object from another site having an established chronological position.
4. Faunal succession: Characteristic fossil assemblages help establish the relative age of geological deposits.
5. 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.