Final answer:
In archaeology, relative dating methods like stratigraphy and the law of superposition compare the order of artifacts without providing exact ages, while absolute dating methods like radiocarbon dating provide a numerical age. Some artifacts may be dated using both techniques to confirm their age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The archaeological dating methods used to determine the age of artifacts found in archaeological sites include both relative dating and absolute dating. Relative dating techniques like stratigraphy and the law of superposition help determine the order of events by comparing the layers in which artifacts are found, without giving an exact numerical age. Absolute dating, on the other hand, usually involves methods like radiocarbon dating that provide a specific age estimate for an object based on physical or chemical properties. Some artifacts or materials could potentially be subjected to both methods to cross-verify the accuracy of the dating results.
Relative Dating Techniques
Relative dating provides a sequence of events from oldest to newest without inserting specific time measures. The most commonly used method is stratigraphy, which utilizes the principle that older layers of soil will be beneath newer layers. Objects found in deeper layers are assumed to be older than those above, based on the law of superposition. Indicator artifacts found within the layers can also provide insights into the relative age of the site.
Absolute Dating Methods
To establish the chronological age of artifacts or samples, absolute dating employs techniques such as radiocarbon dating, which can date organic materials up to 50,000 years old using the decay of carbon-14 isotope. This method, among others, yields a numerical age, setting it apart from the order-based estimates of relative dating.