Final answer:
Seriation orders assemblages of artifacts in succession to determine a chronological sequence. This is an example of relative dating.
Step-by-step explanation:
Seriation orders assemblages of artifacts in succession to determine a chronological sequence. This is an example of relative dating. Developed by English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie in the 19th century, seriation is a relative dating method that places similar artifacts from the same area into a chronological order, which can be particularly useful when layers cannot be dated through stratigraphy. By organizing these artifacts according to style, frequency, or other attributes, archaeologists can infer the chronological sequence of a cultural development.
Typology, another relative dating technique, compares created objects with others of similar appearance to determine their relationship and sequence. Stratigraphy, which involves layering of soil or artifacts, also utilizes relative dating methods such as the principle of stratigraphic superposition where lower strata are typically older than those above. Unlike these methods, absolute dating techniques give a more precise date, with radiocarbon dating being a common example. It is critical to know the difference between these terms to accurately interpret archaeological findings and the history they reveal.