4 Ways to Date an Archaeological Site

What is the primary limitation of carbon dating?

• It can only date objects older than 50,000 years.

• It requires the object to have been alive at some point.

• It is only applicable to inorganic materials.

• It is the most expensive dating method.

What assumption does potassium-argon dating rely on?

• The rock contains no extra Argon 40 when formed.

• The rock has a constant temperature.

• The rock is exposed to sunlight.

• The rock is submerged in water.

How does argon-argon dating improve upon potassium-argon dating?

• It is less accurate.

• It does not require a nuclear reactor.

• It measures both argon isotopes simultaneously.

• It uses a larger sample size.

What is a key feature of electron spin resonance (ESR) dating?

• It is only applicable to rocks.

• It uses magnets to detect trapped electrons.

• It requires grinding the sample into powder.

• It uses radioactive isotopes.

What type of materials can ESR dating be used on?

• Only living organisms.

• Only non-living minerals.

• Both living and non-living minerals.

• Only fossils.

What is the principle behind stratigraphy in relative dating?

• Older layers are found above newer layers.

• Layers are always horizontal.

• Older layers are found below newer layers.

• Layers are always vertical.

How can stratigraphy be complicated?

• By the color of the sediment.

• By the size of the layers.

• By geologic events like erosion.

• By the presence of fossils.

What does seriation rely on to date artifacts?

• The chemical composition of the artifact.

• The location where the artifact was found.

• The style changes over time.

• The weight of the artifact.

What is a limitation of seriation?

• It can only be used for metal artifacts.

• It requires a large geographical area.

• It is only applicable to prehistoric art.

• It cannot determine the exact age.

Why is seriation important for prehistoric art?

• It helps understand cultural changes over time.

• It provides exact dates.

• It is the most accurate method.

• It is the only method available.