Dating and Chronology in Archaeology

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge of Dating and Chronology in Archaeology.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: archaeology dating chronology
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Which of the following is a relative dating technique?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Dendrochronology

  3. Stratigraphy

  4. Fluorine analysis


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Stratigraphy is a relative dating technique that uses the superposition of layers to determine the relative age of artifacts.

Which of the following is an absolute dating technique?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Dendrochronology

  3. Stratigraphy

  4. Fluorine analysis


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Radiocarbon dating is an absolute dating technique that uses the decay of radioactive carbon-14 to determine the age of organic materials.

What is the half-life of carbon-14?

  1. 5,730 years

  2. 10,000 years

  3. 15,000 years

  4. 20,000 years


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years, which means that it takes 5,730 years for half of the carbon-14 in a sample to decay.

Which of the following is a type of dendrochronology?

  1. Absolute dendrochronology

  2. Relative dendrochronology

  3. Floating dendrochronology

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Dendrochronology is the study of tree rings to determine the age of wood. Absolute dendrochronology uses tree rings to date wood absolutely, relative dendrochronology uses tree rings to date wood relatively, and floating dendrochronology uses tree rings to date wood that has been moved from its original location.

What is the principle of stratigraphy?

  1. The law of superposition

  2. The principle of original horizontality

  3. The principle of cross-cutting relationships

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The principle of stratigraphy is based on the law of superposition, the principle of original horizontality, and the principle of cross-cutting relationships. The law of superposition states that in a sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top. The principle of original horizontality states that sedimentary rocks are originally deposited in horizontal layers. The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that a younger feature will cross-cut an older feature.

Which of the following is a type of fluorine analysis?

  1. Absolute fluorine analysis

  2. Relative fluorine analysis

  3. Floating fluorine analysis

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Fluorine analysis is a relative dating technique that uses the accumulation of fluorine in bone to determine the age of the bone. There are no absolute or floating fluorine analysis techniques.

What is the difference between absolute dating and relative dating?

  1. Absolute dating provides a specific date, while relative dating only provides a general time period.

  2. Absolute dating is more accurate than relative dating.

  3. Absolute dating is more expensive than relative dating.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Absolute dating provides a specific date, while relative dating only provides a general time period. Absolute dating is more accurate than relative dating. Absolute dating is more expensive than relative dating.

Which of the following is a limitation of radiocarbon dating?

  1. It can only be used to date organic materials.

  2. It is not accurate for dates older than 50,000 years.

  3. It is affected by contamination.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Radiocarbon dating can only be used to date organic materials. It is not accurate for dates older than 50,000 years. It is affected by contamination.

Which of the following is a limitation of dendrochronology?

  1. It can only be used to date wood.

  2. It is not accurate for dates older than 10,000 years.

  3. It is affected by climate change.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Dendrochronology can only be used to date wood. It is not accurate for dates older than 10,000 years. It is affected by climate change.

Which of the following is a limitation of stratigraphy?

  1. It can only be used to date sedimentary rocks.

  2. It is not accurate for dates older than 1 million years.

  3. It is affected by erosion and faulting.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Stratigraphy can only be used to date sedimentary rocks. It is not accurate for dates older than 1 million years. It is affected by erosion and faulting.

Which of the following is a limitation of fluorine analysis?

  1. It can only be used to date bone.

  2. It is not accurate for dates older than 100,000 years.

  3. It is affected by the environment.

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Fluorine analysis can only be used to date bone. It is not accurate for dates older than 100,000 years. It is affected by the environment.

Which of the following is the most accurate dating technique?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Dendrochronology

  3. Stratigraphy

  4. Fluorine analysis


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Radiocarbon dating is the most accurate dating technique for dates younger than 50,000 years. Dendrochronology is the most accurate dating technique for dates younger than 10,000 years. Stratigraphy is the most accurate dating technique for dates older than 1 million years. Fluorine analysis is the most accurate dating technique for dates younger than 100,000 years.

Which of the following is the least accurate dating technique?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Dendrochronology

  3. Stratigraphy

  4. Fluorine analysis


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Fluorine analysis is the least accurate dating technique for dates younger than 100,000 years. Radiocarbon dating is the most accurate dating technique for dates younger than 50,000 years. Dendrochronology is the most accurate dating technique for dates younger than 10,000 years. Stratigraphy is the most accurate dating technique for dates older than 1 million years.

Which of the following is the most expensive dating technique?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Dendrochronology

  3. Stratigraphy

  4. Fluorine analysis


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Radiocarbon dating is the most expensive dating technique. Dendrochronology is the least expensive dating technique. Stratigraphy is the least expensive dating technique. Fluorine analysis is the least expensive dating technique.

Which of the following is the least expensive dating technique?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Dendrochronology

  3. Stratigraphy

  4. Fluorine analysis


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Dendrochronology is the least expensive dating technique. Radiocarbon dating is the most expensive dating technique. Stratigraphy is the least expensive dating technique. Fluorine analysis is the least expensive dating technique.

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