Question 1

Which is a precisely defined location for every find made during an archaeological survey and excavation, and it is part of context?

Accepted Answer

In archaeology, "space" refers to the precise location where an artifact or find is discovered, which is crucial for understanding its context and association with other finds.

Question 2

This term describes the context in space between artifacts and other evidence of human behavior around them.

Accepted Answer

Associations refer to the relationships between artifacts and other evidence of human behavior in their spatial context. Temporal relationships refer to the relationships between artifacts and other evidence of human behavior in their chronological context, while patternings refer to the distribution and arrangement of artifacts and other evidence of human behavior. Hypothetical relationships refer to speculative connections between artifacts and other evidence of human behavior that have not been proven or confirmed.

Question 3

When examining the concept of space, archaeologists apply certain directions of inquiry EXCEPT for

Accepted Answer

Seriation techniques are a method used by archaeologists to establish a chronological order of artifacts or sites based on their style or design. It is not directly related to the concept of space. A, B, and D all relate to the exploration of the spatial relationships between artifacts and settlements, and the ways human groups interact with and shape their physical environments.

Question 4

Which law is of great importance when artifacts are being ordered in chronological sequences?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which law is of great importance when...

Question 5

A collection of artifacts associated with a single individual is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A collection of artifacts associated with a single individual is called a subassemblage. This term is especially used in archaeological excavations when artifacts are found together in a specific context, such as a burial or a house floor. A subassemblage can provide insights into the activities, beliefs, and social status of the individual or group that left them behind. The other options, assemblage, horizon, and zone, refer to broader categories of archaeological materials grouped by time, space, or cultural affiliation.

Question 6

A village flourishes, but eventually is abandoned. Later, another village is built at the same location; over many years this second village is replaced. In time, yet another village is built on the same spot. For archaeologists, the layers and artifacts that result from such change are an example of

Accepted Answer

The description of layers of artifacts resulting from multiple villages built and abandoned in the same location is an example of the principle of superposition in archaeology. This principle states that in any undisturbed sequence of layers, the oldest layer is on the bottom and the youngest is on the top.

Question 7

The types of chronology that archaeologists refer to primarily are all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Dendrochronology is a specific method of absolute or chronometric dating, not a separate type of chronology. It involves dating based on tree ring patterns. Relative and absolute (or chronometric) chronologies are the primary types, with dendrochronology falling under the latter as a technique.

Question 8

What type of time is exemplified by a planting and harvest calendar?

Accepted Answer

A planting and harvest calendar follows a cyclical time frame, as it is based on the annual cycle of planting, growing, and harvesting crops. It repeats in a predictable pattern year after year.

Question 9

The idea that underlying geological levels are earlier than those that cover them is known as the law of

Accepted Answer

The law of superposition states that underlying geological levels are earlier than those that cover them.

Question 10

Archaeologists use seriation techniques to place artifacts in chronological order. If the frequencies with which these artifacts occur are plotted as a set of bars, they often appear in a shape known as the

Accepted Answer

The shape that often appears when the frequencies with which artifacts occur are plotted as a set of bars is called the "battleship curve." This term comes from the fact that the shape resembles the silhouette of a battleship, with a long central peak and shorter "protrusions" on either side. This curve is useful for archaeologists because it can help them to see patterns in the frequency and distribution of different types of artifacts over time. In particular, it can help them to identify periods of change or transition in a given culture or society.

Question 11

Along with coins, what can be used to date buildings or refuse pits in which they were dropped centuries ago?

Accepted Answer

Coins can be dated by their known age, which is determined by the year of minting inscribed on them, providing a precise date or time period for the context in which they were found.

Question 12

Tree-ring dating has been practiced on long-felled wood beams to date the Indian pueblo buildings of which they were a part. This method is called

Accepted Answer

The method described in the question is known as dendrochronology, which involves analyzing tree rings to determine the age of the wood. Option A, vegetable chronology, is not a commonly used term for this method. Option C, temporal seriation, is a different method of dating archaeological materials based on the relative order of artifacts in time periods. Option D, chronological sequencing, is a general term that could apply to various dating methods, but does not specifically relate to tree-ring dating.

Question 13

The half-life of C-14 (radiocarbon) is measured at how many years?

Accepted Answer

The half-life of C-14 is measured at 5730 years. After 5730 years, half of the original amount of C-14 present in a sample will have decayed.

Question 14

The prehistory of the world from some 40,000 years ago up to historic times is dated almost entirely by which method?

Accepted Answer

Radiocarbon dating is the most commonly used method for dating prehistoric materials, such as organic remains and artifacts, from the last 40,000 years up until historic times. It measures the decay of radioactive carbon-14 isotopes in organic materials and provides a date range for when the organism died or the artifact was created.

Question 15

What comprises optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL), measures the light emitted from baked clays, heated or burnt stone, and windblown sediments like sand?

Accepted Answer

Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) are both techniques used in luminescence dating, which measures the light emitted from baked clays, heated or burnt stone, and windblown sediments like sand. Therefore, the best choice is D) luminescence dating.

Question 16

Which measures radiation-induced defects or the density of trapped electrons within a bone or shell sample without the need to heat them?

Accepted Answer

Electronic Spin Resonance measures radiation-induced defects or the density of trapped electrons within a bone or shell sample without the need to heat them.

Question 17

Uranium series dating measures the steady decay of uranium into various daughter elements inside any formation made up of

Accepted Answer

Uranium series dating measures the decay of uranium into daughter elements such as thorium, protactinium, and lead. This method is commonly used to date calcium carbonate formations such as caves, speleothems, and corals.

Question 18

For every 100 40K atoms that decay, what percentage becomes 40Ar (Argon), an inactive gas that can easily escape from its present material by diffusion when lava and other molten rocks are formed?

Accepted Answer

When 40K decays, about 11% of the time it transforms into 40Ar through electron capture or positron emission. The remaining 89% decays into 40Ca (Calcium) through beta decay.

Question 19

Which series dating is most effective when it is applied to sites between 50,000 and 1 million years old?

Accepted Answer

Uranium series dating is most effective for dating sites between 50,000 and 1 million years old, as it is used to date calcium carbonate materials such as speleothem or coral.

Question 20

The date of any mineral containing uranium can be obtained by measuring the amount of uranium in the sample, which is done by counting the fission tracks in the material-narrow trails of damage in the sample caused by fragmentation of massive energy-charged particles. This is known as what kind of dating?

Accepted Answer

The dating method described in the passage is known as fission track dating, which involves measuring the amount of uranium in a sample by counting the fission tracks. Options A and D are not valid dating methods, and there is no information given about a method called "cross-track" dating.

Quiz 5: Space and Time