1
Arch midterm 2 Questions with Correct
Answers | Updated (100% Correct Answers)
relative dating Answer: not-precise methods to determine antiquity
of sites and objects by putting them in sequential order, but not
assigning specific dates. inexpensive and widely accessible
chronological sequencing Answer: assessments of antiquity in
relation to other artifacts and sites, making it comparative.
determining that site A is older than site B or that one arrowhead is
older than another without specific dates attached
law of superposition Answer: layers of sediments are normally laid
on top of each other through time
stratigraphic dating Answer: determining the relative age of artifacts
and the sequence of past events by studying layers of soil
stylistic seriation Answer: artifact styles change through time, so
archaeologists can chronologically order artifacts based on style
frequency seriation Answer: artifacts of similar function typically go
through popularity rises to a peak and then declines
fluorine, uranium, nitrogen dating Answer: after the death of an
animal, the amount of nitrogen in bones continually decreases over
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2
time through natural process of decay, then fluorine and uranium
enter the bones from surrounding matrix (like groundwater)
- ex: Piltdown Man in England
dating by association Answer: assessment of antiquity by
association with animals, artifacts, or geological features of known
age
calibrated relative dating Answer: dating techniques that essentially
combine relative and absolute dating, includes obsidian hydration
obsidian hydration Answer: freshly fractured obsidian will absorb
water from surrounding environment into core of stone, creating an
observable hydration layer. archaeologists make assumptions about
the rate at which the hydration layer thickens, which is used to date
other pieces of obsidian
terminus ante quem Answer: combined with law of superposition,
used to establish an upper date boundary for an artifact, document,
or site, based on a known later date
terminus post quem Answer: combined with law of superposition,
used to set a minimum date for an archaeological layer or feature,
typically based on the date of the latest artifact found within it
absolute dating Answer: determines the specific age of an artifact in
years. expensive and can only analyze specific kinds of material
© 2025 All rights reserved
Arch midterm 2 Questions with Correct
Answers | Updated (100% Correct Answers)
relative dating Answer: not-precise methods to determine antiquity
of sites and objects by putting them in sequential order, but not
assigning specific dates. inexpensive and widely accessible
chronological sequencing Answer: assessments of antiquity in
relation to other artifacts and sites, making it comparative.
determining that site A is older than site B or that one arrowhead is
older than another without specific dates attached
law of superposition Answer: layers of sediments are normally laid
on top of each other through time
stratigraphic dating Answer: determining the relative age of artifacts
and the sequence of past events by studying layers of soil
stylistic seriation Answer: artifact styles change through time, so
archaeologists can chronologically order artifacts based on style
frequency seriation Answer: artifacts of similar function typically go
through popularity rises to a peak and then declines
fluorine, uranium, nitrogen dating Answer: after the death of an
animal, the amount of nitrogen in bones continually decreases over
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2
time through natural process of decay, then fluorine and uranium
enter the bones from surrounding matrix (like groundwater)
- ex: Piltdown Man in England
dating by association Answer: assessment of antiquity by
association with animals, artifacts, or geological features of known
age
calibrated relative dating Answer: dating techniques that essentially
combine relative and absolute dating, includes obsidian hydration
obsidian hydration Answer: freshly fractured obsidian will absorb
water from surrounding environment into core of stone, creating an
observable hydration layer. archaeologists make assumptions about
the rate at which the hydration layer thickens, which is used to date
other pieces of obsidian
terminus ante quem Answer: combined with law of superposition,
used to establish an upper date boundary for an artifact, document,
or site, based on a known later date
terminus post quem Answer: combined with law of superposition,
used to set a minimum date for an archaeological layer or feature,
typically based on the date of the latest artifact found within it
absolute dating Answer: determines the specific age of an artifact in
years. expensive and can only analyze specific kinds of material
© 2025 All rights reserved
