Final answer:
The statement that the 'Late Antique Little Ice Age' was a period of colder temperatures that lasted for a significant time is correct. However, the 'Little Ice Age' referenced, occurred between 1550 and 1850 AD, and it was identified by scientists as a colder period through the study of tree rings and ice cores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'Late Antique Little Ice Age' refers to a period of colder temperatures, typically dated between the 6th and the 7th century. However, it is not the same as the 'Little Ice Age' you may be referring to, which occurred later, between 1550 AD and 1850 AD. Answering the student's question, the most accurate statement would be that the 'Late Antique Little Ice Age' is indeed a period of colder temperatures that lasted for a significant duration; however, for the Little Ice Age that took place between 1550 and 1850 AD, the most accurate statement is that it was identified by scientists through methods such as studying tree rings (dendrochronology) and ice cores.
Various causes have been suggested for these climatic episodes. Factors such as volcanic eruptions, changes in the Earth's orbit, and decreased solar activity, such as during the Maunder Minimum, have all been posited as potential contributors to the cooler climatic conditions that prevailed during these times. These slightly cooler temperatures had a profound impact on the world, causing harsher winters and affecting agricultural productivity and leading to changes in clothing and building styles.