Final answer:
The process of recording and interpreting strata at an excavation site is known as stratigraphy, which utilizes the law of superposition to date materials relatively by their depth and sequence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recording and "reading" of strata from an excavation site is called stratigraphy. Stratigraphy is essential to the field of geology and archaeology, as it enables the relative dating of geological and archaeological phenomena through the analysis of the order and position of strata, which are distinct layers of deposited material. One of the key principles used in stratigraphy is the law of superposition, which assumes that lower layers of strata are older than those above them. Archaeologists and geologists study layers directly onsite, collect sediment cores for analysis, and sometimes use seismic surveys to gather three-dimensional data of the subsurface structures. These methods provide a chronological sequence and insight into past environmental conditions and human activities. Strata that are undisturbed are assumed to have remained stable over long periods, allowing for accurate relative dating of the materials contained within them.